LACK OF BEDS WORSENING HIV SPREAD, STUDY SAYS

VANCOUVER -- A shortage of addiction treatment and detox beds in Vancouver
may be contributing to the spread of HIV in the city, according to a new study.

The study, by researchers at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS,
found drug addicts who tried to get into treatment programs but failed were
29 per cent more likely to share their needles than other addicts, putting
them at greater risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus.

The researchers tracked more than 1,000 HIV-negative injection drug users
in Vancouver from May 1996 to May 2002.

In all, a third of those in the study reported attempting to get into a
drug treatment program but being unable to do so.

During the course of the study, 10 HIV-negative addicts in the study who
sought addiction treatment but were unable to get it later became infected.

Evan Wood, the study's lead author, said there are several theories as to
why those turned down for treatment are such a high-risk group.

One is that drug addicts are most likely to seek detox when they hit "rock
bottom" -- feeling at their worst and so desperate for drugs they are more
likely to share needles.

The other theory, the study notes, is that being turned down for detox or
treatment "may promote depression (and) anxiety" in addicts -- making them
more likely to engage in risky behaviour.

The study, which will be published June 1 in the international journal
AIDS, says failing to invest more money into addiction treatment "may
result in a major missed opportunity" to prevent the spread of HIV.