It originated on the right, with Peter Duesberg's book that was published by Regnery. The left only adopted it when they realized it meant that they could use it as an excuse to justify their irreponsible habits (drugs, sodomy, etc.).
Not by a mile--my blood doctor friend discussed it with me back in the 80's. Back then I also read articles in The Lancet and even Spin and The Village Voice about it. This is an old story, I don't even think Regnery or even Rush Limbaugh were on the scene when this story first started making the rounds.
Not true...the Left hates this stuff because it says that DRUG ABUSE WILL KILL THEM!!!
That's the "hard left" ~ there's a double entendre there.