National Commission on AIDS: Annual Report to the President and Congress

the conquest of AIDS will be determined by how effectively we can contain the spread of
HIV among drug users."
Several experiments are underway in the United States to distribute common
household bleach to IV drug users in the hope that it would be used to sterilize shared
syringes and hypodermic needles.
Currently there is an increase in the rate of new cases of HIV disease among IV
drug users. IV drug users also account for many heterosexually transmitted cases of AIDS.
Most infants who contract HIV disease are infected by their mothers who are either IV
drug users or the sexual partners of IV drug users.
Congress may deal with the bleach issue during reconsideration of the upcoming
FY'90 appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Commission on AIDS is an independent body created by Congress to
oversee the national efforts against the AIDS epidemic and to make "recommendations for
a consistent national policy concerning AIDS."
Five members were appointed by the Senate, five by the House and two by the
White House. In addition the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are non-voting members.

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