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For other local resources, visit:
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the FACTS.
It’s estimated that 24,000 gay and bisexual men with become infected
with HIV in the United States this year, and nearly half will be related to
crystal meth use. Studies show that users are up to three times more likely to
test HIV positive.
Those figures, revealed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies,
are just part of the crystal meth epidemic sweeping through LGBT communities
nationwide. That’s why the Pride Center is launching Crystal Clear, a new
campaign to educate about the dangers of crystal meth and inform users of harm
reduction techniques to help protect themselves and their partners.
“Since it’s not just the drug use we’re talking about, but a marked increase in
HIV infection rates, we need to educate the gay community about the dangers
associated with crystal meth,” Pride Center Director Jim Ver Steeg said.
Experts suggest that the drug’s ability to increase arousal and remove
inhibitions leads users to engage in unsafe sex without concern for the risk of
contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Users have described
having unprotected sex with people they know to be HIV positive while high.
Also known as speed, crank, crystal, ice or Tina, crystal methamphetamine
is a stimulant that effects the central nervous system. It can be swallowed,
snorted, smoked or injected. As addictive as crack and cheaper than cocaine,
crystal meth triggers the release of high levels of the energizing chemical
dopamine in the brain. This leads to a euphoric rush that creates a craving for
the user to repeat the experience. But the high is followed by a debilitating
crash or comedown. The more intense the high, the worse the crash. Frequent use
of crystal meth impairs the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, increasing
dependency on the drug and making the crash more severe. Crystal meth use can
lead to strokes, heart failure and death.
Recovery and support services are available for users. To learn more or find
help, contact the Pride Center at 716-852-PRIDE (7743), e-mail
crystalclear or visit our
Crystal Recovery Resource Center.
More frequently asked questions about
crystal meth.
Meth
information from the NYC Department of Health. (.pdf file)
party SMART.
Learn what you need to know to
keep
yourself safe during the party.
View the Pride
Center's Crystal Clear information card (pdf file).
recovery RESOURCES.
Is the party over?
Help is
available!
more RESOURCES.
For more information on partying smart, visit:
www.tweaker.org
www.lifeormeth.com
www.dancesafe.org
www.lifeormeth.org
www.crystalmeth.org
www.crystal-meth.org
www.methmadness.com
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