THAI DRUG USERS WIN PRIZE FOR AIDS WORK

A Canadian human rights organization has awarded a network of Thai
drug users for its work in combating the spread of HIV.

Handing the prize to the Thai Drug Users Network, the director of
Human Rights Watch Canada praised the network for its efforts and use
of peaceful means in alerting the public to the 'heavy-handed tactics'
employed by the Thai government in addressing the Thai narcotics trade.

While noting that Thailand had won worldwide acclaim for its success
in combating AIDS, he warned that the problem of HIV infection among
drug users had been largely ignored, leading to a 40 percent growth in
the rate of HIV infection among intravenous addicts.

The Thai Drug Users Network was formed two years ago to help educate
drug users nationwide on the importance of protecting themselves
against HIV.