Policy Information Exchange

Seeking to stem a growing AIDS epidemic, normally conservative Chinese leaders are embracing needle-exchange programs as a way to prevent disease transmission among injection-drug users, the Associated Press reported June 7.

The nation's Health Ministry also is promoting condom use as part of its anti-AIDS campaign. Local agencies are being urged to target high-risk communities with needle exchanges combined with methadone programs for heroin users.

"Under the national health system's launching of a people's war against drugs, drug eradication, AIDS prevention, and daily tasks must be closely joined," according to guidelines posted on the Health Ministry's Web site.

In addition to drug users, the campaign targets prostitutes, gay men, and migrant workers.

Source:  Join Together Online.  Join Together is a project of the Boston University School of Public Health.

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