It's Important to Support People Living with HIV/AIDS

Cindy Sheppard
Caring matters
Published Thursday April 17th, 2008
Appeared on page B8

Imagine being told you had contracted a life-threatening disease.

I am sure there are individuals who have heard such news and have had friends and family rally around them with encouragement and support. Now, imagine the disease was one that came with a stigma, that friends and family would sometimes make judgments or decide they were not in a position to support you during your disease. Employers might judge you or even fear you in their workplace.

While many of these stigmas don't happen much these days thanks to education and information, individuals who are diagnosed as HIV positive still face some social stigmas. The education around HIV/AIDS has increased a great deal over the past few years, thanks in part to organizations such as AIDS New Brunswick. As many people are aware, education and knowledge is the key to understanding. This is certainly true for HIV/AIDS.

One of the goals of the organization is to have a community-owned approach. Executive director Joannah Lang indicated its goal is to create a positive community association and make it relevant to the entire community - not just to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The organization provides education, advocacy, support and keys to prevention. Research has shown there's certain high-risk activities associated with getting and/or spreading the virus, such as intravenous drug use. The practice of sharing syringes (needles) can spread any infectious disease, including hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Harm-reduction programs are often put in place to lower the risk of a high-risk activity. One such program is the needle exchange program. This program offers clean, unused needles to users and allows for safe disposal of used needles. It is offered in a safe, non-judgmental way and is anonymous. The staff simply asks for basic information (non-identifying). This allows them to track the number of needles exchanged over a period of time.

Last year in Fredericton, there were 1,578 visits to the program and 79,100 needles were provided. The Fredericton Community Foundation recently made a grant to the organization in support of the program. The service will also provide free and anonymous testing for hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other tests if requested. Treatment information is also available.

Current statistics show that one in 12 individuals globally have hepatitis C (not all contracted from needle use).

In addition to this program, the organization offers support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. They will often advocate on behalf of the individual with an employer, provide information on financial assistance and offers a speakers' bureau of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their experiences.

A toll-free number is available for those with questions or concerns related to sexual health matters. Guide books are available for persons testing positive and a resource library is also accessible. Many of the resources at the resource library are being transferred to the local public library for easier access. A website also offers information. All these resources are available to educate both those impacted by HIV/AIDS and those seeking more information on the disease in general.

One major issue AIDS New Brunswick is facing in New Brunswick is the lack of available resources in rural areas - both with the needle program and confidential and anonymous resources for HIV/AIDS concerns. Lang said she's interested in exploring the options and opportunities that may be available in these areas.

As with many non-profit agencies, opportunities to volunteer are always available. Contact the office at 459-7518 or www.aidsnb.com for more information.

Today, research and education shows us that people who test positive can still lead long and productive lives - but there's still a long way to go.

Cindy Sheppard is the executive director of the Fredericton Community Foundation. Her column profiling non-profit agencies appears Thursdays. Please send comments to letters@dailygleaner

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	It's Important to Support People Living with HIV/AIDS Cindy Sheppard Caring matters Published Thursday April 17th, 2008 Appeared on page B8 Imagine being told you had contracted a life-threatening disease. I am sure there are individuals who have heard such news and have had friends and family rally around them with encouragement and support. Now, imagine the disease was one that came with a stigma, that friends and family would sometimes make judgments or decide they were not in a position to support you during your disease. Employers might judge you or even fear you in their workplace. While many of these stigmas don't happen much these days thanks to education and information, individuals who are diagnosed as HIV positive still face some social stigmas. The education around HIV/AIDS has increased a great deal over the past few years, thanks in part to organizations such as AIDS New Brunswick. As many people are aware, education and knowledge is the key to understanding. This is certainly true for HIV/AIDS. One of the goals of the organization is to have a community-owned approach. Executive director Joannah Lang indicated its goal is to create a positive community association and make it relevant to the entire community - not just to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The organization provides education, advocacy, support and keys to prevention. Research has shown there's certain high-risk activities associated with getting and/or spreading the virus, such as intravenous drug use. The practice of sharing syringes (needles) can spread any infectious disease, including hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Harm-reduction programs are often put in place to lower the risk of a high-risk activity. One such program is the needle exchange program. This program offers clean, unused needles to users and allows for safe disposal of used needles. It is offered in a safe, non-judgmental way and is anonymous. The staff simply asks for basic information (non-identifying). This allows them to track the number of needles exchanged over a period of time. Last year in Fredericton, there were 1,578 visits to the program and 79,100 needles were provided. The Fredericton Community Foundation recently made a grant to the organization in support of the program. The service will also provide free and anonymous testing for hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other tests if requested. Treatment information is also available. Current statistics show that one in 12 individuals globally have hepatitis C (not all contracted from needle use). In addition to this program, the organization offers support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. They will often advocate on behalf of the individual with an employer, provide information on financial assistance and offers a speakers' bureau of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their experiences. A toll-free number is available for those with questions or concerns related to sexual health matters. Guide books are available for persons testing positive and a resource library is also accessible. Many of the resources at the resource library are being transferred to the local public library for easier access. A website also offers information. All these resources are available to educate both those impacted by HIV/AIDS and those seeking more information on the disease in general. One major issue AIDS New Brunswick is facing in New Brunswick is the lack of available resources in rural areas - both with the needle program and confidential and anonymous resources for HIV/AIDS concerns. Lang said she's interested in exploring the options and opportunities that may be available in these areas. As with many non-profit agencies, opportunities to volunteer are always available. Contact the office at 459-7518 or www.aidsnb.com for more information. Today, research and education shows us that people who test positive can still lead long and productive lives - but there's still a long way to go. Cindy Sheppard is the executive director of the Fredericton Community Foundation. Her column profiling non-profit agencies appears Thursdays. Please send comments to letters@dailygleaner
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