Kaposi's Sarcoma -- Major Overview Published

** Kaposi's Sarcoma -- Major Overview Published

The KS Project Report: Current Issues in Research & Treatment
of Kaposi's Sarcoma, an 85-page report by Michael Marco with
Marty Majchrowicz, covers all aspects of conventional
treatments, experimental treatments, epidemiology,
pathogenesis, and research -- what is being done in KS
research, and how its funding and organization need to be
improved. The authors are treatment activists who had
assistance from leading oncologists; they also interviewed 25
oncologists, dermatologists, radiation oncologists, primary
care physicians, and laboratory workers who have extensive
experience with AIDS-related KS. The information is very
current, as the report was completed rapidly and published in
late July 1994 by the Treatment Action Group (TAG).

Copies are available from TAG, 147 2nd Ave., Suite 601, New
York, NY 10003, 212/260-0300. A $10 donation is requested to
help cover cost, but no one will be denied the report for
lack of funds.

** Interim AIDS Coordinator Announced

On August 2, Patricia S. Fleming was appointed interim AIDS
coordinator by President Clinton. Ms. Fleming is currently
special assistant to Health and Human Services Secretary
Donna E. Shalala. She previously served as administrative
assistant to the late Ted Weiss (D-NY), specializing in AIDS
and public health issues.

According to an August 2 press release from the White House,
Fleming "said she expects the interim appointment will last
less than two months and that she is not a candidate for the
permanent appointment."

** Medical Marijuana: 89 Percent Support

An informal telephone poll of over 50,000 people, conducted
by Parade Magazine and published in the July 31 issue, found
that 89 percent believed that marijuana should be legal for
medicinal purposes. This was not a scientific poll which
selected people randomly, but consisted of callers who
responded to the June 12 Parade Magazine cover article,
"Should Marijuana Be Legal?" (It may be no less important as
a measure of public opinion, however, because it counted
people who cared enough about the issue to take the action of
calling in.)

For more information on medical marijuana, contact the
Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, P.O. Box 21210, Kalorama
Station, Washington, DC 20009, 202/483-8595.

** Correction -- Zerit (d4T) Information Number

AIDS Treatment News #203 gave an information number for
physicians to call to obtain information about enrolling
patients in the parallel track program for access to d4T,
which is continuing for a short time, despite approval of the
drug, because of a delay in availability of commercial drug
supplies. Due to a typographical error, the phone number we
published was incorrect. The correct number is 800/842-8036.

[Note: The latest information from Bristol-Myers Squibb is
that Zerit may be available in pharmacies starting the second
week in August. In that case, new enrollment in the parallel-
track program will probably close later in August, with those
in the program continuing to receive the drug for about one
month after new enrollment closes.]