STREETWORKS FUNDING CUT

'A Step Backwards'

A major Edmonton program to fight drug-related health problems is on the
verge of collapse - the victim of a provincial funding policy a leading HIV
doctor says is "shortsighted and dishonest."

Dr. Stan Houston, director of the northern Alberta HIV program, said a
three-year Streetworks project helped to prevent hundreds of HIV infections
and saved thousands of dollars in health-care costs. But a one-time
$250,000 provincial Health Innovation Fund (HIF) grant expires this week
and while Capital Health struggles to find the money, program staff are
being laid off.

"We should be reaching out, not cutting back," said Houston, who is also a
member of Streetworks' governing council.

"The whole thing is intellectually and fundamentally dishonest."

Capital Health received the grant money and paid Streetworks to run a
program to improve the health of drug addicts living mainly in the downtown
core.

The money pays for two nurses and two outreach workers who give hepatitis A
and B immunizations, test for diseases including HIV and hepatitis C and
provide help with treatment, housing and health education. After July 1,
those staff will be out of a job.

Dr. Gerry Predy, Capital Health's medical officer of health, said he's
"hopeful" money can be found to continue at least part of the HIF project.
But Streetworks program director Marliss Taylor doesn't share his optimism.

"My hopes are sinking, so we are going to Plan B," said Taylor. "We won't
have a health-support budget for dressings and Band-aids and we will be
cutting back on the number of immunizations. It's a step backwards."

Houston said he's "deeply ashamed" Edmonton's HIV rates have been more or
less stable for five years, while they are decreasing rapidly in many
countries, including Uganda.

"If Streetworks is significantly cut back, I would anticipate either a rise
in HIV rates or a failure to see rates decline."

Richard Hollingsworth, 49, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1995, said cutting
the program will cause Edmonton's drug addiction problem - and the cost to
taxpayers - to soar.

"Get ready for a nightmare," he said. "If they cut this we are going to see
a huge spike in HIV transmission."

Alberta Health spokesman Michael Shields said the HIF was never designed to
provide long-term funding.