There is a possibility of a sixth Council Partner -- the AIDS support group STAR.

Following news this week that many people with AIDS were also struggling with drug addiction, Council Partners Campaign executive director Mr. Gordon Johnson set up a meeting with executives of STAR (Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives).

He will discuss with them the anti-drugs coalition's upcoming $5 million public cash drive.

"The Council Partners are raising in excess of $5 million,'' he said. "There are funds that have not been allocated.'' STAR director Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong disclosed this week that STAR would be looking at approaching the Council Partners regarding finances.

More than half the residents of STAR's home for people with AIDS were in the throes of drug addiction, she said.

And substance abuse counselling for Light House residents and other HIV-positive people helped by STAR was an additional expense for the already cash-strapped volunteer organisation.

Upon reading of STAR'S plight, Mr. Johnson said yesterday he arranged a meeting with STAR executives on Monday.

The Partners had not fully realised the extent of the link between AIDS and drug addiction, he said.

"In the official charities register STAR did not list its involvement in drug and alcohol programmes,'' Mr. Johnson said. "They were not included in the fundraising drive because of their mandate.'' Mr. Johnson said there was a possibility STAR could now be included even though the official public campaign launch was next Sunday.

Mrs. Armstrong said drugs were a factor in the spread of AIDS in two ways: There were the IV drug users who contracted HIV by sharing needles and then those who judgments were impaired by substance abuse.

The Council Partners have already raised more than $2 million privately.

The Partners, who come under the umbrella of the National Drug Commission, include Fair Havens women's rehab, FOCUS for homeless substance abusers, the parents drug education group PRIDE, Lions Quest Life Skills schools programme and the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.