NEW HIV RISK FOR DRUG USERS

TORONTO-AREA drug users face contracting deadly diseases from an increasing
amount of dope that's being smuggled into Canada by infected street
prostitutes, the Mounties say. "We are very concerned," said RCMP Insp. Sam
Landry, head of the force's airport detachment. "The diseases can get into
the drugs (and) we are concerned the drug can infect others when it hits
the streets."

Landry said his officers have intercepted about six drug swallowers this
year who were suffering from Hepatitis C or had the HIV virus.

The Mounties said body fluids containing the diseases can leach into rubber
condoms containing the ingested dope.

Police estimate about 10 drug smugglers slip into the country for every one
arrested.

Landry said Toronto prostitutes are being recruited by organized crime
figures who give them spending money and trips to the Caribbean in
all-inclusive hotels. Once there, they are instructed on how to ingest and
smuggle dope back to Canada.