GenQ - For the not so straight individual

There has been a lot of debate about this topic in the press. Currently, there is a crystal meth epidemic amongst Sydney’s gay community. Personally, I have always thought there is a direct link between unsafe sex and crystal meth use. I know a few gay men who engage in long sexual sessions (many of those unsafe) while on crystal.

According to new data from the US, gay men who use crystal meth are five times more likely to test positive for HIV. Of 5,319 gay men tested for HIV and other STDs in Los Angeles in 2005, 18 percent reported they had used the drug in the previous twelve months.

In 2006, the percentage of gay men who reported using crystal meth at least once had increased to 25 percent and the percentage of those who had used it in the past year had increased to 13 percent. The preliminary data also indicated that gay men who use meth within the previous 12 months were five times more likely to test positive for HIV than those who did not.

Several health organisations in Australia are concerned about making the link between crystal use and HIV, fearing that such facts would alienate users into getting help. The reality is that we all know people who engage in unsafe sex and many of them take part in this risky behaviour because of drugs and alcohol. You can probably give people information without making a judgement about their activities. Using drugs may increase your chances of HIV.