Crystal Meth Use Fuels Rise in HIV Cases
Across The Nation | Crystal Meth Use Fuels Rise in HIV Cases Among White MSM; 'Down Low' Term Should Apply To All Races, Studies Say
Crystal methamphetamine use continues to fuel a rising number of HIV cases among white men who have sex with men and the term "on the down low" -- which typically describes men who have sex with both male and female partners but do not mention their male relationships to friends, family members or female partners -- should be applied to all races, not just to black men, according to studies presented Wednesday at CDC's 2005 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Walberg, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 6/16).
AP
Officials from the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center on Wednesday presented data based on 19,300 HIV tests conducted over four years. Center employees asked MSM if they had used crystal meth since their last HIV test or in the previous two years, whichever was more recent. Data showed almost one in three MSM who tested positive in 2004 said they had used crystal meth, nearly triple the rate of meth use among MSM testing HIV-positive in 2001, center officials said. More than 10% of all MSM tested at the center in 2004 said they had used meth, almost double the rate from 2001.
Many experts agree that meth use is a "growing threat" to MSM nationwide because it increases arousal and reduces inhibition, often encouraging people to seek multiple sexual partners, which could put MSM at an increased risk of contracting HIV, the Los Angeles Times reports. Being Alive, a Los Angeles-area coalition of people living with HIV/AIDS, later this month plans to launch a campaign encouraging meth users to get HIV/AIDS education and treatment (Ornstein, Los Angeles Times, 6/16).
Reuters
