Positive Living Society of British Columbia (Formally BCPWA)

2 INTERVIEWS WITH ASIANS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. ASIA is currently looking into the needs of East and Southeast Asians and would like to find out more about their experiences and use of services 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Remembrance of Bader Naja with thanks to the BCPWA Newsletter. BADER NAJA Aug 30, 1951 - Feb 29, 1996 4 IN MEMORIAM MARK ALCOCK - February 27, 1997. 5 LETTER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Congratulations to you all on your recent election to the Board. 6 COMMUNITY FORUM ON THE NEW DRUG TREATMENTS Report on the February 12th, 1997 meeting held at PARC on emerging issues related to the new HIV drug treatments with presentations by Cherryl Brown and Glen Hillson and a faciliated discussion to identify and address key issues which included: Going back to work or school, Disclosure, Insurance and Disability Claims, Unknowns of treatments, CD4 markers, Lab value vs clinical value, Employment options, Time-consuming medical visits. 9 SAFER SEX FOR HIV POSITIVE MEN Reprinted from Postive Nation, Health First; London SE1 1996. Article focusing on the risks of unsafe sex for positive men with an aside about woman-to-woman transmission and a discussion of strategies to avoid transmission or infection focusing on condoms. 14 NUTRITION AND WEIGHT LOSS The importance of managing nutrition and weight loss as a part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for managing HIV/AIDS. Evaluate Nutrition and Exercise as a part of a comprehensive, early intervention strategy. Employ rigorous diagnosis and treatment for causes of weight loss. Consider nutritional and vitamin supplements to replenish defificiencies. Learn the pros and cons of various intervention options. 18 PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF HIV. This article will attempt to summarize some of the latest developments in the study of psychiatric manifestations of HIV disease, review those manifestations associated with drugs commonly used to manage HIV disease, draw attention to the potential for drug interactions, and address treatment issues relevant to the psychatric care of people with HIV. 23 TREATMENT UPDATE Selenium and Lecithin Decrease Beta2 Microglobulin Levels. Concerns About Protease Inhibitors. More Facts about Genital Herpes. Currently Enrolling Trials in Vancouver (April 1997). Hearing Loss and Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients Infected with HIV-1. Laboratory Services Moving to Vancouver General Hospital. 27 RED RIBBON Poetry by Robert Domenic. POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs

2 BCPWA SOCIETY APPOINTS ACTING EXECUTIVE OFFICER 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thanks to the Society from parents of a member. Macrobiotic diets may not work for everyone. Thanks from Jackie for the 10 year celebration. 5 TREATMENT ISSUES FOR 1997 The next step in diagnostic technology: access to viral resistance testing. Problems of poor absorption and other causes leading to resistance need to be addressed with better formulations of medications. Immune restoration therapy should have renewed emphasis. 6 PASSAGE THROUGH INDIA: HIV MAPS A DEADLY COURSE Reprinted from the Harvard AIDS Review. In depth coverage of HIV in India. 13 TREATMENT UPDATE. Antiretrovirals Update, a brief overview of the state of antiretroviral HIV treatments in BC and a look at some developments expected in the near future. Can Supplements of Vitamins and Minerals Increase Survival? Research report. Report of the Advisory Committee on Drug Evaluation and Therapy. 17 JACKIE HAYWOOD'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Commentary from Jackie. 18 VICTOR VANCOUVER Comic. 20 CANADIAN DECLARATION OF RIGHTS FOR PWAS Draft of a Canadian Declaration of Rights for People Living with HIV/AIDS developed by the participants in the 1996 HIV forum of the Canadian AIDS Society in Toronto on 4 June 1996. 21 RADIO FREE PWA Commentary on the nutritional value of processed foods and supplements recommended in a previous issue with recommendations on whole foods with the proper nutrient make up for PWAs. 22 NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 23 IN MEMORIAM. MYLES INGRAM - DECEMBER 30, 1996. POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs

4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Comments and observations on the 1996 BCPWA Society's Annual General Meeting. 5 CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY PILL BOTTLE CAMPAIGN Advocacy campaign aimed at showing support for the renewal of the National AIDS Strategy targeted to coincide with the opening of parliament on September 16th. 6 AIDS: A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE The Canadian Human Rights Commission. AIDS is considered a disability under the Canadian Human Rights Act. That means it is illegal for anyone within federal jurisdiction to discriminate against people because they have AIDS or are HIV positive. The Canadian Human Rights Commission investigates complaints of discrimination against people with AIDS and HIV and where there is evidence of discrimination, tries to end the discrimination and make sure the victime receives some form of compensation. 8 RUNNING THE WALK. 80 per cent of the funds required by the Complementary Health Fund (CHF) come from Walk pledges. Consider what would happen if nobody remembered to get the permits the city requires. 11 NATIONAL PLANNING FORUMS FOR AIDS/HIV RESEARCH. A consensus Statement on the Directions and Essential Requirements of HIV/AIDS Research in Canada. Summary of Recommendations. 13 BCPWA ADVOCACY UPDATE.New Developements in the Advocacy Department. Advocacy Information Line provides the latest updates on several of the major legal cases impacting the membership. Details of some more Ministry of Social Services benefits you may be entitled to including crisis grants, moving allowances and security deposits. 15 VIRAL LOAD TESTS - INTERPRETING THE RESULTS Information on the viral load tests and what the results mean. 17 TREATMENT UPDATE Weekly Fluconazole to Prevent Candida in Women. Collective Kitchens. A Natural Approach to Viral Reduction and Immunostimulation. Flu Vaccinations - The Debate Continues. Clinical Trials. Clinical Trials Looking for Participants: NAC Septra Reaction (prevention of PCP). Delavirdine + AZT. Atovaquone, pentamidine. VACOP-B chemotherapy. Fluconazole. Fluconozole vs. itraconazole. Mixed carotenoids. Nevirapine, 3TC. 22 RADIO FREE P.W.A. Humans, What a species. A look at this year's AGM ... and beyond? POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs

SPECIAL EDITION XI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS 4 A LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER re: "One World. One Hope." An HIV+ grandmother writes to express disappointment that the PM will not attend the Opening Ceremonies of the XI International AIDS Conference. 6 A HOMETOWN CONFERENCE The Opportunities for PARC "Let's see what other people are doing and not reinvent the wheel because there is so much to do." "...there is also the potential for incredibly renewed drive and I think that is the great opportunity." 8 GRADUATES OF THE VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE COURSE LEVEL 1. Report. 9 BCPWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE 10 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED AFTER THE FORUM - Canadian AIDS Activists Woke Up. This train is called WAKE UP CANADA. We need another strategy - not another tragedgy. 12 "THE ALTERNATIVE CONFERENCE" The People's Gather of Community Health is scheduled to coincide with the XI International Conference on AIDS and is planned to be both a learning experience and a wake up call to the danger of ignoring community health and a chance to come out and celebrate community. 12 NETWORK NEWS ...An Update on the Positive Women's Network. PWN will be part of the team that welcomes thousands of visitors to PARC during the International Conference on AIDS and the PWN drop-in will be open to positive women from around the world. The PWN will also be presenting the results of our Physician Education Project at the Conference. Several new support groups are now in progress. 13 THE LIBRARY CARD ...New Material at the PARC Library. 14 CONFERENCE ENTERTAINMENT & INFORMATION EVENTS GUIDE 16 TREATMENT UPDATE. HHV-6A -- Is It a Co-factor or Maybe the Cause? Echinacea & HIV. Seagoenone Community Trial. From the Front Lines, a member reports on his experience in a combination therapy trial, AZT and 3TC and either a protease inhibitor or placebo. 20 RADIO FREE P.W.A. "No Fence Too Sharp To Sit Upon..." Commentary on the National AIDS Strategy. 23 IN MEMORIAM. ALLAN RICHARD MACKENZIE OCTOBER 13, 1954 - MAY 30, 1996. MARK TURRELL JULY 31, 1965 - JUNE 19, 1996. POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs