The AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC), a national coalition of AIDS activists, will be conducting a training workshop on activism for HIV prevention, drug development and treatment access in Atlanta on December 7 and 8.

Cathy Olufs, a longtime activist working at Health Justice in Los Angeles and president of the board of directors of ATAC, urges people to attend the workshop and says, “People all over the country think AIDS is over. It is now more important than ever not to fall asleep and allow complacency to take over our community. We need to mentor the next generation of activists to deal with the upcoming issues of research and access of new treatments.”

Specific topics to be covered include the latest on the development of microbicides to prevent HIV transmission and the impact of activism on the antiretroviral approval process and treatment access programs. Jeff Taylor, co-chair of ATAC’s Drug Development Committee, says, “This opportunity should not be missed by anyone infected or affected by HIV and those working or volunteering in the HIV/AIDS field.”

The workshop will be taking place at the Hyatt Regency Suites in Marietta, Georgia, on the evening of Friday, December 7 and all day Saturday, December 8. Seating will be limited and registration is required. Anyone interested in the training should contact Ed Rewoliski at negush@verizon.net. It is free of charge and open to anyone who is interested in becoming more involved in HIV research activism.