Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Contact: http://www.smh.com.au/ Pubdate: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 Author: Kate Dunlop HEP C WORRY The hepatitis C epidemic (Herald, September 1) is of major concern. It has some similarities to the AIDS epidemic. The stigma associated with hepatitis C is as strong as it was for HIV early in the '80s. It would be so easy to push high-risk groups, particularly past and present injecting drug users, further underground. They need lots of support to seek treatment and education - particularly as they don't have the benefit of a well organised, politically aware gay community behind them. Kate Dunlop, Willoughby. - --- Checked-by: Pat Dolan