HIV PATIENTS: DRUGS DENIED DURING CUSTODY

Dispute: According to New York police policy, all prescription medicine
must be surrendered during detention.

New York-Gay activists jailed for their part in a huge demonstration
complained Wednesday that they were denied access to their AIDS medication,
which can sometimes lose effectiveness if patients miss even a single dose.

"I am very angry that a peaceful candlelight vigil could end with my life
being threatened," said John Irizarry, 27, who spent 19 hours in custody
after the march Monday down Fifth Avenue in New York.

At least five of the roughly 100 people arrested were denied access to HIV
or AIDS medication, according to the New York City Gay & Lesbian
Anti-Violence Project.

According to New York Police Department policy, when someone is taken into
custody and has prescription medicine on them, that medicine is surrendered
temporarily, said Sgt. Nick Vreeland, a police spokesman. Over-the-counter
medication is taken away. Police do not dispense any kind of medication. If
someone needs to take a prescription, they are given the option of being
taken to a hospital, where they are evaluated, he said.

The arrests occurred during a rally in response to the slaying of Matthew
Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student who was beaten and lashed to
a fence.

Irizarry, who takes 22 pills twice a day, said he hadn't missed a dose in
six years until this week. After being unable to take two scheduled doses,
"I was just really scared for my life," he said.

Patients like Irizarry should never miss a dose of medication because that
can allow the virus to weaken their immune systems, said Dr. Paul Curtis
Bellman, an HIV specialist.

"He has survived this long by being so diligent in taking all of his
medications. The missed doses cannot be replace," Bellman said.

Robert Gangi, executive director of the Correctional Association of New
York, a prison watchdog group, said it is not the first time police have
refused requests for medication.

"Their reasoning is that they are not qualified medical people, and they
don't know if what you have is some kind if illegal drug," he said.

Joh Jordan, who is infected with the AIDS virus, also was arrested and
opted to be taken to Bellevue Hospital. But he said he was unable to get
his AIDS medication even there. Hospital officials did not immediately
return a call for comment.

"I don't want them (police) to have the power to play Russian roulette with
my life or anyone else who is being held captive by them," said Jordan, 29,
who was in police custody for 20 hours.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski