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Media Contact:
Noah Barnes, Lifelong AIDS Alliance
(206) 957-1637
For Immediate Release
February 2, 2007
Drug-resistant HIV strain found in Seattle signals the need to increase HIV prevention and awareness
Strain, potentially linked to methamphetamine use, demands a greater need for drug education and prevention
Seattle, Wash.--February 2, 2007--In response to Public Health-Seattle & King County’s announcement of a four-case cluster of highly drug resistant HIV discovered in King County, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the Pacific Northwest’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, emphasized a greater need for HIV prevention and awareness in the community. The drug resistant strain is of significant concern to the treatment and prevention communities because it is more difficult and expensive to treat and suggests a correlation between methamphetamine use and unsafe sex.
“We take all HIV infections seriously and believe these cases are an important reminder that there is still not a cure for HIV/AIDS and that HIV/AIDS is still a chronic public health issue in this country,” said Tina Podlodowski, executive director of Lifelong AIDS Alliance. “HIV prevention is of utmost importance in battling this disease and in light of this case we urge anyone at risk, especially gay men and other men who have sex with men, to practice safer sex and know their HIV status.”
Lifelong believes that outreach to targeted communities is essential in increasing HIV/AIDS awareness, but that more money and a greater emphasis must be put on providing prevention information. In particular, Lifelong urges that the public health community put greater focus on reducing crystal methamphetamine use and increase funding for drug use prevention.
“We’re frustrated that there is not enough money or support to adequately fund prevention,” said Podlodowski. “Bus ads and flyers saying that meth is dangerous are not enough to end this epidemic. There needs to be heightened awareness of the impact that drug use and HIV/AIDS has in the community.”
Lifelong provides many resources for those who are at risk, are infected, or are in need of answers and further resources about HIV and AIDS. Visit www.llaa.org for more information.
Available resources:
· Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Testing information is available at www.llaa.org.
· The HIV/STD Hotline can be accessed at (206) 205-7837 or TTY Relay Service at (206) 296-4843.
· Lifelong AIDS Alliance HIV prevention services, and individual counseling can be accessed at (206) 328-8979.