For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES HAILS GOVERNOR’S HIV/AIDS FUNDING

New Appropriations for Methamphetamine Prevention and Full Funding for Drug Programs Included in Budget

Los Angeles, Calif., June 30, 2006 – AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) today praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California legislators for approving a $10 million methamphetamine prevention campaign in the state budget signed today.

For the third year in a row, the governor’s budget also includes full funding for  California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides more than 31,000 low income, uninsured and under-insured Californians living with HIV/AIDS access to life-saving medications.

“While the federal government nickel-and-dimes domestic HIV/AIDS programs, the Schwarzenegger administration is wisely funding programs that will save both lives and money,” said Craig Thompson, APLA’s executive director. “After 25 long years of AIDS, we know we must have sufficient resources if we are to defeat this epidemic.”

The request would appropriate $10 million to the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs for the prevention of methamphetamine abuse among five key populations, including African American women, youth, and men who have sex with men. Studies have found that increased methamphetamine use is leading to higher rates of HIV transmissions, as well as decreased effectiveness of HIV medications.

“We welcome new resources to combat the escalating methamphetamine problem in many communities,” Thompson said. “The administration clearly understands the complex link among substance abuse, sexual behavior and the spread of HIV.”

The governor also approved the following HIV-related budget items:

• $5.6 million for HIV education and prevention programs in several smaller counties which lost prevention funding in 2001-2002. This is the second year the governor has included the funding as a one-time appropriation.
• $299.4 million for California’s ADAP.
• $272,000 for additional staff positions in the State Office of AIDS. This to expand a health insurance premium payment program and coordinate payment of Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums.

AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit www.apla.org.

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