‘Preventive Strategies’ Needed To Prevent A.i.d.s.... (Press, 29 August 1989)

Dr. Geoff Elvy, head of the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation, has warned that New Zealanders are becoming too complacent regarding the potential spread of A.I.D.S. He expressed his concerns during a visit to Christchurch on 28 August 1989, following his presentation at the World Congress on Mental Health in Auckland. Dr. Elvy stated that without the implementation of preventive strategies, New Zealand would inevitably face a dramatic increase in A.I.D.S. cases. He highlighted that the country is currently in a critical phase, often referred to as the “window” period, during which the number of cases has not yet surged. Dr. Elvy pinpointed intravenous drug users as a high-risk group for the rapid transmission of the disease and emphasised that targeted interventions are necessary. One such strategy already in place is the needle exchange programme, which aims to reduce the sharing of contaminated needles. However, Dr. Elvy suggested considering more radical approaches, such as legalising heroin, which he argued is less toxic than alcohol and tobacco. He noted that heroin is frequently injected as it is illegal and often impure due to high street prices. In countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where heroin is relatively inexpensive and purer, users tend to smoke the drug instead, reducing the risk of A.I.D.S. transmission. Dr. Elvy proposed conducting a trial period in New Zealand where heroin could be made more accessible to regular users through prescriptions and single-use syringes. He acknowledged the potential for such a policy to increase the number of drug users but argued that it might be a preferable option compared to inaction in the face of a potential health crisis. Currently, New Zealand recorded about 140 diagnosed A.I.D.S. cases, which is low compared to examples from Australia, where cases have surged from 111 to 1400 in a short time. He warned that since the progression from registering as H.I.V. positive to full-blown A.I.D.S. can take eight to ten years, New Zealand could face a similar spike in cases if measures are not urgently implemented. Dr. Elvy observed that many New Zealanders seem largely unaware of the severity and urgency of the situation involving A.I.D.S. and how quickly the disease could spread throughout the population. He asserted that proactive strategies and public awareness are essential to avoid an impending public health crisis.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand