The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, October 21, 1992 HIV testing in the West Kootenay | The stakes are too high JASON KEENAN — Sun staff CHICKEN TIME Buy the bucket or by the piece. Always Delicious! Only at Chicken Time! “Remember, Anytime is Chicken Time” Ceigar & Cominco meal tickets accepted 365-5304 2816 Columbia Ave. 4 NTHONY’S TEGK - PIZZG Br 2 for 1 Menu GUARANTEED DELIVERY 20 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK. Thurs. 11:30 am - midnig - Sat. 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Sunday & Holidays 4:00 pm - midnight 365-2188 1101-2nd St., Castlegar 3 Way Special EAT IN TAKE OUT DELIVER 3 delicious ways to Mon. YOUR HOSTS PAUL & FOTINI TANGAS INIWJOVNYW MAGN 83GNN BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 15, 92 - DECEMBER15, 2 with each food purchase of $10 or more, enter to win your choice of a men's, ladies or youth's 10 speed bike Bicycles From Castlegar Bicycle and Sport Shop Bicycles on display at Anthonys and Castlegar Bicyle & Sport Shop Employees of Anthony's Steak & Puzo Ineigabie to enter oF win S bicycies fo be given away Oct. 15. Nov..15, Dec. 15. Ya VWWWWWAWWWWww (a (Department Store) Store THREE DAYS ONLY! Thurs. Oct. 22, Fri. 23, Sat. 24 30% off Coats and jackets 25% off Dresses, selected sportswear, nandbags jewelry, Vogue and Wonder Bra's 20% off Lingerie, jeans, fleece wear 10% off Isotoner gloves & slippers, accessories SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE = Ladies & Fabric Department 10 - ~ 50% Off on top quality merchandise There's been a dull pain in the crook of my left elbow for the last two weeks. From the point where the steel needle punctured my skin, there's a swirling, curling storm of thoughts: hate, love, wonder, doubt, God, the past, and the future. Then fear wiggles in like a thief. Fear slowly iP in to tell Talarico why they are con- cerned about the virus, going over the whole range of topics is better than giving people the information be transmitted.” It also prevents any stereotyping that might occur if an acceptance of what might be or not be I went to Cindy Talarico’s office at the Central Kootenay Health Unit in Castlegar two week's ago to find out what exactly happens when a person wants to get tested for the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. “The test opens a gateway to a lot of issues,” said Talarico, the public health nurse responsible for the testing process here in Castle. gar. “You need to know if you're really ready to deal with those issues.” Even if you just go in to talk to Talarico, you'll probably be ready to confront yoursd}f head-on by the time the chat is over. At least, I was. Starting informally, conversa tion in the pale yellow office is like any introduction and first con versation. It pirouettes around top- ics like the weather, work, life Slowly, but steadily, the conversa- tion begins to slide in to the first part of the actual testing process finding out if the patient is emo- tionally ready to deal with the test and eventually the results. Slowly conversation becomes more and more technical, slipping in to the how's and why’s of the virus. And the levels of risk for “I treat everybody the same way,” said Talarico. Facts about transmission are delivered in a straight-forward method. Every one is told about the nsks involved in heterosexual and homosexual sexual activities, as well as the nsks involved in needle sharing WWWWWWWWwww SSSPESSsesesseseseee Yo OFF Quilting Cottons by Jimmy Beyer & V..P... 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" ~ i] _ In order to effectively write this story on HIV testing, Castlegar Sun reporter Jason Keenan felt he must expe- rience the process himself—however painful it might be. When delving in to the risks and ways the virus is transmitted, lan- guage is anything but subtle. It's that Getting that information to peo- ple is an important part of the tech- nical part of the talk with Talarico. Q are facts are the graphic sort of makes someone like myself wince. That's the problem with HIV testing, and the fears that come packaged along with it. We're not supposed to talk about sex. We're supposed to ignore reality. Reality can’t be ignored. Though risk levels may be dif- ferent depending on the details of sexual or needle use in the past, the bottom line for risk is clear cut If a you have had more than one sexual partner, or that partner has had more than one Sexual partner, the possibility of infection exists, clarified, and people are reassured. The need to be reassured is the reason why a lot of people come to get tested. Before entering a serious relationship, people want to make sure they don’t carry the virus. “Couples have come in together to see me.” Though they may have led low risk lives, there's still that risk. Patients have to understand what the test does, and what results mean. 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If that test comes out positive, or inconclusive, the blood then goes through the much more sensitive western Blot test to ensure the positive finding is cor- rect. If this second test ig positive, the patient is said to be HIV-posi- tive, and is recommended to receive further, regular testing. If a patient has a positive Eliza test, prec tion (RIPA) test is done. though rarely indeterminate, this test takes five days to complete, rather than the one day for the western blot In the lingo of HIV testing, a patient wants to hear that they are non-reactive. This means they are non-reactive to the test, and HIV- negative. The opposite is what no one, myself included, wants to After exposure to HIV, it takes an average of 10 years for AIDS to develop. With the test itself, it's important to remember that there is usually a six month period between contact with HIV and it's showing up on a test If the patient had a sexual encounter last week that they con- sidered risky, they would have to come back in six months for a test that would address that encounter. Returning for test results is also an important part of the counsel- ing for both reactive and non- reactive people. Talarico is able to reinforce the information about transmission and prevention to non-reactive patients. And for those whose results are reactive, the visit can be the first step in dealing with a new reality in their life. Because those impacts can have ramifications in dealing with other people, on a sexual as well as per- sonal level, confidentiality is the key to the process. “There's probably a much greater need for confidentiality in the rural areas than in the big city, since once that information is out there, that's it.” Though patients now have to leave their name, Talarico said that the test is between you and her. No one else in the office knows why you are going to see her, since she's also responsible for immu- nizing children and travellers, and other public health issues. The bottom line with the test is the victory of knowledge over ignorance. That's the reason I sur- rendered my confidentiality. The test changes nothing. If I'm positive, I’m positive. Getting tested will only confirm or dis- Prove that. After finding out, life goes on. I'm not afraid of letting the pub- lic know I had the test because it's something neither I, nor anyone, should fear. 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Display Advertising Newsroom Fax .. editorial comment NO Welcome to high stakes politics. The pot? Our future as a nation. The players? All Canadians. The rules? None. When Castlegar residents, along with their fellow Canadi- ans, vote in next Monday’s national plebiscite (since the result is not binding it is not a referendum), they are being agked to envision Canada’s future. A constitution is the moral conscience of a nation. It tells ourselves, and the rest of the world, what we consider our- selves to be. The best definition of a country can often be found in its constitution, or lack of one. There are a lot of concrete reasons for Canadians to sup- Port this accord: aboriginals finally get a pittance of the recognition they have so long deserved; the suggested redesign of Parliament goes a long way in loosening Ontario and Quebec’s strangle hold on political power, and the com- mitment of the federal and provincial governments to reduc- ing internal trade barriers would have far reaching economic benefit. A good start, but it’s far from enough. Under this deal, Canada will no longer be the ‘true north strong and free.’ When our first Constitution, the British North America Act, was written in 1867, our founders had a vision of a strong federal government building a strong nation with the ties that bind. Provinces were to be concerned with purely local matters. But since that day in July of 1867, the federal govern- ment’s power has slowly been waning. Our highest courts of appeal have consistently interpreted the Constitution in favour of the provinces, slowly dwindling those fragile bonds of nationhood. The next large jump for provincial rights was the repatria- tion of our Constitution in 1982. When the Canada Act 1982 saw the light of day, Canadians once again saw a growth in the power of the provinces, and a further decline of the power of Parliament When a strong provincial-rights figure like former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed comes out in favour of the deal, and a strong federalist like Pierre Trudeau comes out against it, it begs the question: is this really the best deal for Canada? For the past 125 years, we have slowly been diminishing our greatest historical treasure, the supremacy of Parliament. Our governmental tradition stems from the British belief that Parliament is supreme. The only real limit on Parlia- ment’s power is the fact that no Parliament can pass a law restricting the sup y of future P: That venera- ble institution, subject to the 7 approval of the population, is the ultimate arbiter of law in Britain The Americans, on the other hand, believe that political appointees with the character of a Clarence Thomas should be the ultimate arbiters of rights. Thankfully in the Canada Act 1982, the supremacy of Par- liament over the courts was protected from the rats nest of the Charter of Rights and Freed by the not-wi clause. After all, who is better equipped to decide your rights: nine Supreme Court judges you have little influence over, or a legislature dlected by you and subject to your approval. Besides the transfer of owen to the Provinces disguised i in the current ag: as “ services in Canada”, the provinces have scored the ultimate give-away from the federal govemment. The Governor-General has lost the power to disallow and reserve provincial legislation. Under these powers, the Gover- nor-General was able to strike down provincial laws at the request of the federal government. This power, which had not been used since 1941, formerly provided us with a safety valve to protect the interests of the nation over the interest of a part of the nation Gone Canada once again threatens to jerk and bob toward the American system of states-rights. Hugh Keenleyside, the man whom our local dam is named for, made an observation back in 1980 that becomes chilling with the near-perfect vision afforded by hind-sight. “With the excepti of Yug we are p the least cohesive country among the major countries of the world.” We all know what happened to Yugoslavia when the bonds became too weak. Canadians now have the opportunity to say they value a true north, strong and free above a rag-tag collection of Provinces Canadians can protect Canada from its parts by casting a ‘NO’ vote next Monday. It's the season to say 'yes' to Canada In the Excited States, people are saying of their politicians “They just don’t get it!” Surely, our Cana- dian politicians have now got the message! So, okay! You're miffed with Mikey, mad at Moe, fed up with Brian and tired of Joe, Clyde makes you nervous, Ovide you don’t trust, the people are squab- bling while the economy gathers dust! Cranky Canadians have stepped out of character to express frustra- tion, anger and distrust. To hear us, one would think Canada was not on the brink of the abyss, and we were all eager to face another ten years of political wrangling over the Constitution. The arguments began at Confe ion and, I beli will always continue, for we are a diverse people living in vastly dif- “ment put forward by the squabblers has been addressed, with good ions to apy vl in the process of wing up a new Constitution. The Canadian popula tion demanded a say in that process and we are having it. We demanded a referendum and we got it. Do we Seasons Elma Maund actually have the strength to go on: quibbling over the text of an accord for the next ten years? Not me! I am having difficulty dealing with our collective extremely short ferent regi . For ple, as British Columbians, we have either forgotten or do not know that British Columbia has had a guaran- tee of the number of seats in the House of Commons, granted at a time when we were just a collection of camps on the other side of the mountains. If we take the time to read the text of the Charlottetown Accord, an honourable compromise, we see that it is not a detailed document. It is an Accord. Each and every argu- It was Pierre Trudeau who stirred up the wasps’ nest which culminated in the FLQ Crisis of 1970. It was Trudeau, remember, who called in the Veingt Deux, of recent Oka and Sarajevo fame, to quill the FLQ. You can be sure the Quebecois remember. I’m sure the Laporte and Cross families have not forgotten either, but apparently we have. In 1982, the situation was exacerbated by Trudeau's arro- gance in repatriating the Constitu- tion without Quebec. Since leaving Quebec in the Constitutional wilderness, we are now on the knife edge of unity. Trudeau aches for historical not as the Father of He is being extremely mis- chievous to scuttle the Accord out of vindictiveness, simply because his time has' come and, thankfully, his deficit spending has gone. The Quebecois cannot under- stand, and Westemers are, seeming- ly, incapable of grasping the historical fact that without each other Canada is not whole. Robert Bourassa is in the hot seat. We had to wait for a Federalist Quebec pre- mier before there was an even chance that the Separatistes’ voices could be drowned out by Federal- ists in Quebec. Separatisistes may not yet be numerous, but they are accord and they did. For the first Well, times have been tough in Canada. Our bloated excesses of slimmer and trimmer. We hurt. Lashing out at Canada will not cure the ailment or make the pill taste less bitter. We must reorganize, redesign, restrain, retrain and go forward. Now is the time for the vocal and dang: is showing good leadership in bring- ing his province into step with the rest of us and he should be com- mended for his efforts. Oh, I know! You are fed up with politicians. In spite of some comments that Cana- da, as ten provinces and two territo- ties, could NEVER reach agreement, at Charlottetown our leaders did just that. They have attained unanimity. They were sent off to Charlottetown charged with the responsibility to reach an world-wide as patient, kind, and tolerant, considerate of others’ beliefs and feelings. We are not the best in the world. If you do not believe this, it means you have Hug. It is the season to vote YES! The Charlottetown Accord says: Natives, including those off reserves, would be considered to have a natural right to self-government YES! pro in favor argue that: governments would be one of three constitutionally recog- waa orders of government in Canada. The entrenchment of the inherent right of self-government would not create new rights to land. The progress of self-government would be through an agreed, orderly process. NO! Those not in favor argue that: The deal further divides Canadians constitutionally into francophone Cc. he Canadi aboriginal Canadians and other Canadians. This is three Canadas, not one Canada for all Canadians. The Charlottetown Accord says: A year-long series of meetings between fed- eral, provincial, territorial and aboriginal lead- ers, as well as the receipt of submissions from several thousand citizens, culminated in August 1992 with the Consensus Report, or the Charlottetown Accord. YES! Those in favor argue that: The agreement is intended to bring the Canada round of constitutional renewal to a ful It the most extensive round of public consultation ever held and a long round of negotiations with the Provinces, territories and Aboriginal peoples of . These proposals serve as a reasonable com- Promise and as a basis for the renewed feder- alism that will secure our future together in one of the most successful countries in the world. NO! Those not in favor argue that: The truth is that there is not final constitutional agreement st all — only a framework for further constitutional negotiations. All we have is some- thing called a * Consensus report’, page after page of vague statements of Principle, the meaning of which is largely unresolved. This deal does not resolve our constitutional disagreements. It simply enshrines in the Constitution more negotiations in over 50 areas. It more inty than ever before. . liminary assessment shows 34 areas in the Consensus report where ‘political accords” will have to be negotiated between the levels of government to The Referendum—What's it all about? From the files of Sterling News Service Those not in favor argue that: The fundamental demand of the francophone majority of Quebec has always been for more control over pi affairs, but to Canada’s Official Lan- guages Act as well as over matters relating to broadcasting and telecommunications. The Charlottetown Accord says: Provinces could opt ost of any national cost-shared programs provided they met national chpectives to be worked out at first on the y. E programs such as medi would oes protected. YES! Those in favor argue that: Unilateral spending by the federal gov- ermment in areas of exclusive Provincial would be curbed. The tion would require the federal government to provide reasonable compensation to Provinces that choose not to participate in any new Canada-wide shared-cost programs in an area of exclusive provincial jurisdic- tion, if the province undertook a program or the Canada-wide program. NO! Those not in favor argue that: Because of the lack of a true agreement, one cannot be definite about all the financial i i but the prospect is inly raised that the provinces and the aboriginal governments will receive enhanced ability to offer services while requiring Ottawa to raise the money. The ability of the federal gov- ng Canada’s ability to Saieict Social grogidch. ail tate te saapoct peoinctatceiadiotien The Charlottetown Accord say: The new Senate, which would have 62 seats made up of six senators from each province and one each from the territories, could initiate any kind of legislation except those dealing with government's operating cash. complete the deal, 14 areas needing First Mini and 12 ered ree ae Lind cam be renolved only through further consti tutional the courts. Canada is woth too much o gamble its fre by trading m awed contain We know, for one that is largely undefi ap would be ii for Cabinet jobs. YES! ‘Those in favor argue that: The new Senate has effective powers. It will have the power to block fu tax policy ages directly related to natural resources. It The Charlottetown Accord says: Quebec will be guaranteed 25 per cent of the seats in the House of Commons, guaranteed three of the nine judges on the Supreme Court of Canada, and would be recognized as a distinct Society. Proposed laws affecting the French language or culture would require approval of a ‘dou- ble majority’. (A majority of all senators voting as well as all the franco- Phone senators voting). YES! Those in favor argue that: The Canada clause would ensure that the Constitution is interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the preservation and promotion of Quebec's distinctiveness, which is based on its French language, its unique culture and its civil law tradition. NO! may also block federal appointments such as the Governor of the Bank of Canada. It could delay supply for up to 30 days and force a joint sitting of the House of Commons and Senate by defeating most other legislation. The Senate would also have the right to initiate legislation. It will there- fore play a si; role in the busi of g NO! Those not in favor argue that: The deal will not provide effecti through gen- ule Seaste rafoem. The deal gives Canatia a Gustant-erhalf E Sone, par tially elected, with six senators per province. But the House of Commons will be strengthened, able to override the Senate on everything except bills related to natural resources taxation, and to French language and culture. The Senate provisions mean regional concems will never be adequately reflected in national policies. (604) 365-5626; fax: 365-2124 IS POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE Established November 28, 1990 Published by The Castlegar Sun Weekly on ‘on Wednesdays 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1G8 & & Cast your ballot on October 26 wu & t