Surviving and Thriving with AIDS: Hints for the Newly Diagnosed Michael Callen, Editor

©1987 PWAC NOTE: THIS IS OLD NEWS, posted for historical research only. The medical information herein is extremely outdated!

AIDS AND IV DRUG USE

TO LIFE!
by Thomas D'Alessio

EDITORS' NOTE: We received the following powerful article from Dr. Robert Maslansky, Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Programs at Bellevue Medical Center. The article, written by Thomas D'Alessio, was recently distributed to the 350 patients in Bellevue's Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program.

As participants of the Bellevue Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program, we are among the more fortunate of the drug addicted population of this, the dope capital of the modern world, New York City. Our treatment program is one of the first and the few to be awarded a grant to pay for the costly HTLV-III AIDS Exposure Test. With the ever-increasing and deadly epidemic of AIDS raging among us, we are not only privileged but are being paid in cash to take this test. This fact alone should indicate the seriousness of the problem we face. I think that many of us are not taking AIDS as seriously as we should.

If you have taken the test and have been tested as positive, this is not an indication that you have AIDS or will in the future develop AIDS. The HTLV-III test above all determines whether or not you have been exposed to the nefarious AIDS virus. A positive test result is no cause to panic. However, there is a need for caution. A positive test result means that upon exposure your body has developed antibodies (proteins produced in the body to overcome the toxicity of a particular antigen), in this case the AIDS virus.

Precautionary measures should begin with awareness or education. Read the available literature, ask questions. At the present time, education is our most effective weapon against AIDS. It may be said that AIDS is a disease stemming from ignorance. First, learn the facts about AIDS (know thy enemy), then proceed to protect yourself, your family and loved ones. Use the facts about AIDS as guidelines to govern your life and actions in terms of personal hygiene, nutrition, social and sexual activity and general health care.

Act on proven facts, not hearsay or rumor. Maintain your dignity and your cool, respect the dignity and privacy of others. The problem of AIDS is one in which we all share the burden and the responsibility and, above all, the hope and determination to prevail. This after all is what our program is all about.

If you have not been tested for HTLV-III antibodies and know that you may have been exposed to AIDS, please take the test. You probably squirt out more blood in a day or two of shooting drugs than is needed for this test.

In closing, if you are currently shooting drugs and/or engaging in high risk sex, the familiar cop-out "It's my life" is no longer acceptable. It may be the lives of your loved ones, future children and friends that you are putting on the line. Don't depend on sudden miracle cures either. The ball is in your hands. Our mayor, Edward Koch, has recently stated in print, and I quote, "Risk reducing programs would be wasted on addicts" (Village Voice, 5/20/86).

Let's prove him wrong!