Number of AIDS cases rises

The number of AIDS cases in Taiwan has risen in recent years, according to the Department of Health. Last year, more than 700 people, or 20 percent of reported AIDS cases, were under 24 years of age, compared with 14.9 percent in 1998. More than 200 of the cases were reported in senior high school or college students. More than 90 percent of the students contracted the disease through sexual intercourse. Lee Chih-heng (李志恆), director-general of the National Bureau of Controlled Drugs under the Department of Health, said sex, drugs and AIDS have become the most dreadful by-products of Taiwan's ecstasy pubs.