D. Cubberley: Thank you, minister. I appreciate the
responses. We're going to scroll through some things
now for a while before getting into seniors estimates,
when we'll have a more stable area of questioning.
A couple of questions in the area of prevention. The
first one has to do with the Ministry of Health's goal of
reducing the incidence of HIV infections by 50 percent
over a five-year period beginning in 2003. A subset of
that was the goal of increasing the proportion of HIV
positive individuals who are linked to appropriate
care, treatment and support service by 25 percent over
that same period of time. I'd like the minister to comment
on that in light of funding available to groups
who are working in the field to control the rate of HIV
infection.

Hon. G. Abbott: I appreciate the member asking
this very important question. To begin to just set out a
couple of the key facts around the challenge that is HIV
infection, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, which is

The HIV/Hep C Women's Wellness Group part of the Positive Health Project is up and running again for a new session.

Come and help plan the next group of sessions:
October 6th at AVI 1-3:30

Sessions are:
October 20th - Dec. 15th
every Thursday 1 - 3:30
Retreat on Jan 5th and 6th

To register for the group, call Erica at AVI at 384-2366 or Nicole, at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre at 384-3211 before October 13th.

** The Positive Health Project will also be holding a HIV Positive Men's Wellness Group starting in January.

Self Care Group For
HIV Positive Women
Tuesdays 1-3pm Feb —April 2005
10 Sessions + 1 Amazing Retreat

Only 12 Spaces Available
10$ honorarium per a session
Yummy Snacks!!
We’re starting up again.
Make sure to register by Feb 1, 2005
Contact Erica Williamson 384-2366 ext 104
erica.williamson@avi.org
Co-facilitated by AIDS Vancouver Island and Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Camosun College Student Society and Timberholme Music and Publishing are proud to present

" A Very Different Face "

An evening of hope and stories addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic shared with very special guests Mama June Wilson, Minneh Kamau, and Keith Martin.

Please come and show your support and tear down the stereotypes associated with AIDS, and allow yourself to see a very different face to this disease.

Where : Fisher 100 Building Camosun College

When : Friday, December 3rd
6:00 pm - 10 pm

Admission : A Donation will be required at the door.

All proceeds with help assist SOLID
www.solidsaltspring.com

For more info, please contact Jeff Sawyer at jeffsawyer@shaw.ca

University Don, 21, Fired for Dispensing Condoms

University Don, 21, Fired for Dispensing Condoms

Toronto Star (11.05.04) - Friday, November 05, 2004
Louise Brown

King's University College has fired a third-year student as residence supervisor because he would not agree to stop providing condoms to students. Publicly funded KUC is affiliated with the University of Western Ontario but operates on Catholic principles. Daniel Grace said he pinned an envelope of condoms outside his door so students could have easy, anonymous access to condoms to practice safe sex.

"I'm a Catholic myself, but the reality is, if condoms aren't available, students will have sex anyway and risk getting pregnant, risk getting sexually transmitted disease, risk getting HIV," said Grace. "This is a health and safety issue, not an attack on the church. Catholic bishops in Africa hand out condoms to fight AIDS. The needs of the community must come first," the social justice scholar said. Losing his job means Grace no longer receives free accommodation and so must find an off-campus apartment.

Victoria Persons With AIDS Society is holding their Annual Red Ribbon Campaign again this year during AIDS Awareness Week.

Victoria Persons With AIDS Society

AIDS Awareness Week takes place November 26 - December 1, 2004.

Volunteers for the Red Ribbon Campaign will be doing two hour shifts in Downtown Victoria.

All Volunteers will need to attend an orientation and have an ability to work with the public.

For information or to volunteer contact Penny at 382-7927.

Victoria Persons With AIDS Society

It is not long too this years AIDS Awareness Week.

If you want to be involved now is your chance. I will posting events taking place on Vancouver island when I am aware of them. Check out the Calendar on this website.

AIDS Awareness Week takes place November 26 to December 1, 2004 this year.

Do you have an event, let me know. You can find my contact using this link: Contact Rick Barnes.

Advice for Caregivers

Taking care of someone living with HIV/AIDS can sometimes be hard for caregivers. You also may find it difficult or a challenge to discuss HIV with the person you care about.

Below is a link to Living Positive Resource Centre in the Okanagan containing some tips to help you.

You can also call AIDS Vancouver Island's Infoline for more information. The AIDS Info line is 1 800-665-2437 or 250-384-2366 in Greater Victoria. The Info Line is available Monday to Friday 9 - 5pm except holidays.

Link: Advice for Caregivers

While serious illness can be present in anyone's life, AIDS has posed new challenges for everyone: not only individuals with AIDS, but also their families and friends. People who are in the prime of their lives may become ill, and have their lives severely affected. Their suffering and fear will be shared by the people close to them.

Poverty contributes to HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS contributes to Poverty

Canadian AIDS Society MEDIA RELEASE

October 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

OTTAWA, ON, October 15, 2004 – In 1987 the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was born when thousands of people gathered at the Human Rights Plaza in Paris, France. The day, October 17, was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. This year’s Canadian theme is, “Together, We Go Further”, which aims to bring together people from different walks of life to express our shared commitment to end poverty and to honour the efforts and accomplishments of those who struggle with poverty daily. The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is encouraging people to come together in the same spirit as those who gathered at the Human Rights Plaza in France and make it known that the HIV epidemic in Canada is also an epidemic of poverty. The marginalization of people living with and vulnerable to HIV that is associated with poverty is unacceptable, and it is time that governments of all levels took action to eliminate poverty. Policies that force people into poverty make people more vulnerable to HIV and significantly reduce the quality of life of people living with HIV.

CBC ARTS Briefs

CBC

LOS ANGELES - Green Arrow comic to feature HIV-positive sidekick

In addition to fighting evil villains, one comic book heroine will now have to battle her personal struggle against HIV. In the latest issue of Green Arrow, released Wednesday, the titular hero's sidekick, Mia, discovers she is HIV-positive.

The character, a former teenage runaway, picked up the virus during her time on the street as a prostitute.

Green Arrow is considered the first major comic book to deal with HIV.

Writer Judd Winick said the storyline is a way to explore socially conscious themes while also provoking the character to become more active in her world.

"We've been hinting all along the way that she's interested in taking up the mantle, being a sidekick, getting out there in the streets and helping out," Winick told the Associated Press.

Though Green Arrow initially disagrees, he eventually gives in and "allows her to slap on a costume and become his sidekick, which has the silly name of Speedy," Winick said.