Recent reports have stated that there has been a huge increase of HIV cases in Saskatoon. About 94 new cases were reported last year, which was a record for the conurbation and a 22 per cent leap from 2008.

But it is said that this is not a very big shock for the head of an AIDS awareness program.

Nicole White, Executive Coordinator with AIDS Saskatoon stated, "We're definitely not surprised by the dramatic increase for this year".

She also commented that the figure of people using the facilities there is progressively rising. She said that within six months there were about 4,000 people coming in.

Although Nicole is not sure as to whether its injection drug use or unprotected sex that the spike is coming from. However, according to the Saskatoon Health Region drugs are a major part in nearly all the new cases.

It is also said that since the health region has a very belligerent screening program, the spike could have also come from there.

Dr. Cory Neufeld, the area's best doctor, recommends that instruction and deterrence are the solution if the city wishes to keep away from a full-scale HIV epidemic.