Britain to Launch Explicit Anti-AIDS Publicity Blitz

The government said today it has earmarked $28 million for an anti-AIDS publicity blitz that will include explicit TV commercials aimed at high-risk groups.

Social Services Secretary Norman Fowler announced the campaign in Parliament. He said a special authority will be set up next year within Britain’s National Health Service to deal exclusively with the killer disease.

Fowler rejected suggestions that visitors be screened for AIDS at airports, and said no decision has been made on a recommendation by the government’s chief medical officer, Dr. Donald Acheson, to provide free hypodermic needles to drug addicts.

The secretary said the first priority was to educate the public “and particularly the public most at risk” about the dangers of AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Male homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers are the groups at highest risk, although there is evidence that AIDS can be spread heterosexually.

“Clear, explicit language must be used, and we must spare no effort to ensure the message is getting through,” Fowler said.

Fowler said today some may be offended by the frankness of Britain’s planned campaign in TV commercials, newspaper and billboard ads and leaflets distributed to households and pharmacies.

“The advertising will aim to get over straight messages: Stick to one partner; if you don’t, use a condom. And for drug misusers, don’t inject drugs; if you can’t stop, don’t share equipment,” Fowler said.

Fowler said that by acting now, Britain has a chance to curb the AIDS epidemic before it becomes as serious as in other countries.

By Oct. 31, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Center had reported 548 cases of AIDS, including 278 deaths, in Britain since January, 1982.

The World Health Organization said today the United States has reported 26,566 cases since AIDS first appeared in 1979.