HIV/AIDS VICTIMS DELIVER POWERFUL MESSAGE TO KIDS

Former Drug Users Warn Of The Dangers At Conference

A crowd of young people saw first-hand what a potentially fatal disease can
do to two men who once lived the high life.

Former drug users George Deguerre and Bob Swan had a thought-provoking
story to tell 250 aboriginal youth at the Keepers of the Bloodline HIV/AIDS
Conference Thursday at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie.

Deguerre, a Metis man diagnosed with HIV three days short of his 40th
birthday, and Bob Swan, who suffers from AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome), say they want to reach out to the youth - to tell them about the
disease that attacks their immune system with a vengeance.

"Eventually, your system gets so deteriorated, a cold could even kill you,"
Deguerre said.

He's middle-aged, skinny, and sports thin, long hair like the ailing man
next to him. They may not be strong physically, but their message was powerful.

"The disease is human and I am human - I am not the disease," Deguerre said
after ending his presentation that brought applause.

"It's growing in the aboriginal population by leaps and bounds, and if we
don't start educating the children now, then maybe in 40 years there won't
be any aboriginal children."

After taking a drag from his cigarette in the cool autumn air, Deguerre
shows off the scars from shooting cocaine in his arm. It was 80 per cent
likely, Deguerre figures, that he received HIV through sharing contaminated
needles.

"I also had a lot of unprotected sex," said Deguerre, who also suffers from
Hepatitis C and B, and emphysema.

Swan was a heavy intravenous drug user several years ago in his prime. In
1995, he was diagnosed as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive, but
it didn't necessarily surprise him.

"I was downtown in Vancouver in the drug scene, so I knew what it was all
about," he said.

In front of the fresh-faced listeners, he pulled out a small paper bag and
its contents fell out - several prescription bottles. Twice a day, he must
take the cocktail concoctions that help keep him alive.

Swan's HIV has become full-blown AIDS. Last year he almost died from the
disease that has changed his life completely.

"I was always a nice guy but now I am even a nicer guy," said the
40-year-old. "I go speaking around to communities and I look more to the
spirit world and pray a lot."

Deguerre has also witnessed some positive out of the bad situation. The
former log trucker does more volunteer work than he ever did before.

Both men volunteer with the Feather of Hope Aboriginal AIDS Prevention
Society, travelling across the province to speak with other natives on
HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.

Swan referred to one reserve in British Columbia which is "completely
infected and that's because no one is going around educating people."

It's a disease that has hit home with him in other ways too. His sister
died of AIDS last year.

'DAY BY DAY'

"I live day by day, hoping I won't get sick, and try and communicate with
people, and stay away from stressful situations," Swan said.

He hopes their story hits home to the group attending the conference that
ended Friday.

One girl raised her hand in the audience, asking the question, "When you go
to bed, does it scare you that you might not wake up in the morning?"

It's a question these two men hope these youths will never have to face.