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.