Drugs and AIDS haunt Yunnan.

Drugs taken intravenously used to be a major cause of HIV infections in the province, which borders the notorious Golden Triangle of narcotics in southeast Asia.

Even today, when drugs such as "ice" do not require needles, many addicts are still vulnerable to the virus, usually through unprotected sex, according to Gui Dandan, director of Menghai's public health bureau.

Drug trafficking is a major problem as there are many ways in and out of Myanmar from Menghai. This poses a greater challenge for AIDS prevention, Gui says.

After Liao left the labor camp in 2003, he was known as a troublemaker in the eyes of his fellow villagers, says Tan Jieming, police chief of Menghai. "They think a drug user and dealer is a threat to their children."

Liao was also a bully in his village. He would steal from vendors, be it vegetables or meat, believing the police could do nothing about a HIV or AIDS patient, says Tan.

Liao used to make police feel incompetent. Villagers would feel unsafe with him around, Tan says.