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Taiwan is emerging as a beacon of hope for countries across Asia grappling to stop the spread of theAIDS epidemic among injecting drug users (IDUs), a major risk group.

The Asian island came in for praise at an international conference here for a successful public health initiative that saw an over 50 percent plunge in the number of new HIV cases among IDUs over a three year period. In 2005, Taiwan recorded its highest number of new reported cases of people infected with the killer virus - over 3,300 - nearly twice the number recorded the previous year. But, by the end of 2008, the new HIV cases had dropped to 1,752 cases. The secret to the country's success was a humane approach to help IDUs through a nation-wide harm reduction campaign, Sheng Mou Hu, the health minister at the time, told participants at the international Harm Reduction conference, held in the Thai capital this week. "Time proved we were right," he said. "Our approach was that harm reduction should be based on human rights."

Consequently, the Taiwanese IDUs were not viewed as criminals for their drug habit - they were presented to the public as "patients" in need of help. The public health initiative launched in 2006 ranged from greater screening and monitoring of drug users living with HIV, a needle exchange programme, and a drug replacement therapy with methadone. Yet, the initiative sparked a strong public outcry, according the former health minister. "We had a lot of resistance from the media and parliament," he said.

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Thousands of people from Taiwan's gay and lesbian community marched through the streets of Taipei on Saturday to demand recognition of same-sex marriage and equal rights, organisers said.

The island's seventh annual Gay Pride Parade, with an estimated turnout of 25,000, also attracted supporters from neighbouring Hong Kong, Japan and South East Asian countries, they said.

"We urge the government to better protect gay human rights including same-sex unions so we can have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples," said chief organiser Tung Chu-chu.

Rainbow flags, balloons and placards were in abundance as participants gathered in a square outside the presidential office, with dress varying from period costumes to swimming trunks.

"I hope the government will not only legalise same-sex unions but also allow us to adopt children," said Nancy Chen, who pushed a stroller to highlight her call.

But Chen admitted that "it would take a few more years" for the general public to accept the idea before the legislation process can begin.

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