Indiana AIDS Group Has Trouble Meeting Increased Demand for Safe-Sex Kits
Living with AIDS and Dignity, an Indiana organization that aims to help HIV-positive citizens "in financial need," said it is having difficulty meeting the area's increased demand for safe-sex kits, the AP/Indianapolis Star reports. Since July, the organization, which relies on grants and donations for all of its funding, has distributed nearly 8,700 kits, each of which includes three condoms, a packet of lubricant, HIV/AIDS statistics and the phone numbers of HIV testing sites. During the previous 12 months, the group distributed approximately 5,300 kits. James Toloday, a co-director of the organization, said that his group does not have the money it needs to provide the kits in part because some people are "reluctant" to donate to HIV/AIDS organizations. In addition, Paula French, director of Community Action Group and Youth At Risk in Indianapolis, said that CDC grants are now "harder to obtain" than before. "Congress is tightening on how the CDC is dispensing funds. We never had to go through this type of administration paperwork before," she added (AP/Indianapolis Star, 10/28).
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