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"PM supports move to supply
needles, condoms"
New
Straits Times (www.nst.com.my)
(17/06/05) Zubaidah Abu Bakar from Doha
DATUK
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday threw his support behind the
controversial plan to give condoms and needles to drug users to curb the
spread of AIDS. He said the plan was the "best so far" for fighting HIV and
AIDS, a problem that had reached a dangerous stage. But if there were a
better alternative to tackle the scourge, the Health Ministry would consider
it, the Prime Minister said. Abdullah, who is here to attend the G-77
summit, was speaking to Malaysian journalists.
Some
1,200 drug users will get condoms and needles in 10 government and private
clinics in October on a trial basis. The plan, announced by Health Minister
Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek early this month, has drawn mixed reactions, with many
against the move. Many religious groups have shot down the idea, saying that
freely distributing condoms encourages sexual promiscuity. However, Dr Chua
gave an assurance that condoms would only be given to drug users under the
close supervision of trained professionals.
Under the plan,
130,000 intravenous drug users will be given clean needles. More than 70 per
cent of this group who are sexually active will be given condoms. Abdullah
hoped the proposed briefings by Dr Chua and Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department Datuk Abdullah Md Zin to interest groups, including leaders of
all faiths, would clear doubts about the scheme and provide feedback to the
authorities. He said the Government was concerned by high risk of HIV/AIDS,
especially among wives of drug users. The latest figures show 64,439 people
infected with HIV. If nothing is done to curb the spread of the disease,
this number is expected to escalate to 300,000 by 2015.
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