DEEPEN RESOLVE TO FIGHT AIDS

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the first documented cases of
AIDS. Despite advances in treatment, the virus remains a virulent
health threat, especially in poor pockets of the world. That includes
areas in New Jersey.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently warned that world leaders
cannot become complacent because AIDS appears, for the moment, to be
most devastating in the lives of poor people.

According to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations AIDS
agency, nearly 40 million people worldwide are living with the virus
or the disease. AIDS infection is worst in sub-Saharan Africa, where
poverty puts prevention and treatment beyond the reach of most.

Annan said most targets for combating AIDS have not been met. The
U.N. AIDS agency recently reported that between $18 billion and $22
billion is needed annually to fight AIDS.

But countries contribute a combined $10 billion a year.

The lack of commitment to do what is necessary to fight AIDS isn't
just felt in Africa. In New Jersey, the Legislature continues to
ignore the pleas of local officials in Camden, Atlantic City and
elsewhere to set up a relatively low-cost prevention strategy --
needle exchange. This would get syringes possibly infected with the
AIDS virus out of circulation and reduce the spread of the virus.
Clean needles are accessible in 48 other states, and they have not
experienced an increase in drug use.

Lawmakers should approve legislation proposed by Assembly Speaker Joe
Roberts, D-Camden, to allow hard-pressed cities such as Camden to set
up needle-exchange programs.

The ambivalence shown by too many New Jersey legislators, as well as
leaders around the globe, clearly provides the perfect culture for
the spread of AIDS. To effectively fight this disease, our leaders
must be willing to do more to help those most vulnerable to it.