Wachs Wants AIDS Classes for Drug Users, Prostitutes
A mandatory AIDS education program for convicted prostitutes, their customers and drug users was proposed Thursday by Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs during a news conference on a Van Nuys street corner frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers.
Wachs said he would offer his proposal to the council today. It would require attendance at a 2 1/2-hour class on acquired immune deficiency syndrome as a condition of probation, with certain offenders funneled into substance-abuse and addiction programs.
Wachs blamed prostitutes and drug users for spreading AIDS to heterosexuals. He said start-up cost for a pilot program in Van Nuys Municipal Court would be $50,000 to $60,000.
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