GMHC urges $3.5 million to be spent on crystal meth campaign

New York City's Gay Men's Health Crisis recommends in a new report that state and local governments spent $3.5 million in the coming year to fund crystal methamphetamine treatment and prevention programs, Gay City News reports. The report details links between crystal use and unprotected sex, which has led to rising syphilis rates among the city's gay men and, some worry, could lead to rising HIV infection levels. "Although it is impossible at this stage to draw firm conclusions, emerging evidence also suggests that crystal use may be contributing to an increase in new HIV infections among men who have sex with men in New York and other cities," says the report. Prepared by a task force composed of activists, officials from AIDS and gay organizations, scientists, and social services specialists, the report also calls on New York City's gay community to "articulate and promote the view that defining and limiting unhealthy behavior is not tantamount to placing limits on gay identity and freedom."