Health News
2006-01-20
Experts warn of
too much emphasis on crystal meth
Although
preventing crystal methamphetamine use among gay men helps
reduce the chances they’ll become infected with HIV,
Although
preventing crystal methamphetamine use among gay men helps
reduce the chances they’ll become infected with HIV,
fighting use of the drug should be only one piece
of the HIV prevention puzzle, AIDS experts told the
Bay Area Reporter. Crystal meth has a clear link
with HIV risks—studies in San Francisco show that
about 30% of new infections among gay residents are
connected with use of the drug.
But HIV
prevention experts say that other issues--like depression,
low self-esteem, and abuse of other drugs and
alcohol—also are significant factors that can
lead gay men to engage in unprotected sex, and they
should not be ignored by focusing too much on preventing
crystal meth use.
"Crystal is not
the only drug or substance folks are using," Steven
Tierney, deputy director of programs at the San Francisco
AIDS Foundation and cochairman of the Mayor’s
Task Force on Crystal Methamphetamine, told
BAR. "The whole HIV/STD prevention world has
stopped focusing on alcohol. It is really important to look
at that."
Openly gay city
supervisor Bevan Dufty agrees, and says he hopes the task
force’s work can be a model for programs focusing on
reducing other HIV risk factors, including the abuse
of other drugs. (Advocate.com)
Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter.
Page 1 of 1