The Centers for Disease Control changed its previous policy and is now recommending that all people exposed to the HIV virus should receive drub cocktails to help keep them from getting the disease. This includes those who had unsafe sex, used IV drugs, were raped or were involved in an accident.

The previous policy only recommended the cocktails for healthcare professionals who were accidentally stuck with a needle or exposed to the HIV virus. The old policy has been in place since 1996.

The new guidelines recommend that treatment should commence within 72 hours of exposure and continue for 28 days.

Despite the change in policy, the government still warned people that drug cocktail is part of a 'safety net' and not a substitute for safe behavior. 'It is clearly not a `morning-after pill'' Dr. Ronald Valdiserri of the CDC told the Associated Press.

Doctor Charles Gonzalez, a member of the New York State AIDS Institute medical guidelines board, was amazed a policy wasn't in place sooner. 'It's unconscionable they didn't have a policy for rape victims. It's just ludicrous. They knew they were well behind the curve,' Gonzalez said. He then added, 'This may be a 'red state, blue state' issue, where states such as Massachusetts, New York and California are willing to discuss this matter in terms of rape and what happens to consensual adults.'

However grudgingly, the Bush Administration has permitted the changes in policy to go forward. It can only be hoped that it can save some lives in the future.