Federal officials agree to talk with Vancouver about HIV crisis:
Decriminalization of drug use is not yet in the cards, says an aide to
Health Minister Allan Rock.

OTTAWA Representatives of federal Health Minister Allan Rock will meet
Vancouver officials this week with the aim of tackling what is believed to
be the highest incidence of HIV infection in the developed world.

``He takes it very seriously, and he's quite anxious to see how we might be
able to help,'' said Cyrus Reporter, Rock's executive assistant.

A recent report indicated that almost half of the up to 10,000 drug addicts
in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside are believed to be infected with the
AIDScausing virus, passed between users through contaminated needles. The
report, by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, said the area has
the highest HIV infection rate among First World cities.

``We are certainly looking at ways in which we might assist with the
problem that exists in the east end of Vancouver,'' said Reporter.

Officials from Rock's office plan to meet members of Vancouver Mayor Philip
Owen's staff within the next few days, but federal officials tread
cautiously on the issue of decriminalizing drugs.

``At the present time, decriminalization is not being pursued,'' said
Reporter.

Some involved in the struggle to contain the spread of AIDS and reduce
crime linked to drugs believe it's time to allow doctors to prescribe
narcotics to users and to decriminalize possession of small amounts for
personal use.