Date: Wed, 8 Feb 1995 08:06:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Rex Wockner <rwockner@netcom.com>
Subject: TIJUANA AIDS CLINIC HIT BY PESO DEVALUATION 


***************************************************************
* Copyright (c) 1994 Rex-Wockner-affiliated publications.     *
* ACCENTS: e in Jose, e in Mexico                             *
***************************************************************

        TIJUANA AIDS CLINIC HIT BY PESO DEVALUATION

                      by Rex Wockner

	Tijuana's gay-community-based AIDS clinic, ACOSIDA, has been
hit hard by the devaluation in the Mexican peso because the
clinic's lease requires the rent be paid in dollars, a common
situation in Tijuana.

	Since December, the peso has dropped from 3.4 to about 5.5
against the dollar.

	"Our rent went up 40 percent from December and the woman
will not accept pesos," said clinic co-founder Jose Navarro. "We
have to pay her $330 dollars. Some of our income is in dollars
but not enough. Hopefully we'll get some more donations."

	ACOSIDA is the only place in Baja California where AIDS
drugs are available free. The drugs are brought in from southern
California -- from hospital rooms where people have died and
other sources.

	Some AIDS drugs are sold in Tijuana pharmacies but the
prices are well out-of-reach of most Mexicans. In addition,
Mexico just raised all drug prices 35 percent.

	Donations may be sent to ACOSIDA, Apartado Postal 904-
Centro, Tijuana 22000, B.C., Mexico. Phone 011-52-66-80-99-63.

                          == end ==