STOP AIDS Project Data Finds Dramatic Drop In Crystal Meth Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men In San Francisco

Media Release
November 3, 2005

Decrease Bucks National Trends
Media Contact: Jason Riggs, 415-871-7351

San Francisco, CA -- Bucking national trends of rising crystal meth use among different segments of the country's population, data from the STOP AIDS Project indicates a dramatic downward trend in use among gay and bisexual men in San Francisco.

San Francisco's downward trend in crystal use among gay and bisexual men is a unique piece of good news in the context of what is being described as a "growing nationwide epidemic of use" among various segments of the population and possible increases in crystal use among people of color, women, and male-to-female transgenders in San Francisco.

In late 2003, 18% of gay and bisexual men in San Francisco reported that they had used crystal meth in the last 6 months. In the first half of 2005, 10% had reported using crystal meth in the last 6 months. The downward trend is based on 4,197 surveys conducted by the STOP AIDS Project from late 2003 to the first half of 2005 and analyzed by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. STOP AIDS Project is the nation's largest data collector of gay and bisexual men's behavior.

"The reality is more and more gay and bisexual men are steering clear of crystal meth, recognizing its destructive nature, addictiveness, and its high association with HIV transmission," said Robert McMullin, Executive Director of STOP AIDS Project. "The City, STOP AIDS Project and other organizations are well poised to capture the momentum of this downward trend to help build a healthier community."

"Stop AIDS survey data is evidence that our City and community collaboration on crystal meth is working," said San Francisco City Supervisor Bevan Dufty. "By opening a community dialogue, putting forth honest campaigns, such as Crystal Mess and Crystal Clear, the norm of crystal use that peaked two years ago is changing."

The nearly 50% reduction indicates that San Francisco's gay community has moved from having one of the highest rates of crystal use in the country. However, even with the significant drop, crystal use among gay and bisexual men in San Francisco is still on par with the gay communities in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, who characterize their crystal meth problem as "urgent" and "critical."

STOP AIDS Project officials attribute the decline in crystal meth use among gay and bisexual men in San Francisco to five factors: the City's commitment to multiple harm-reduction approaches for treatment; crystal meth abuse prevention campaigns; a coordinated effort by multiple organizations and agencies facilitated by the Mayor's Task Force on Crystal Meth; cycles in drug popularity; and gay men's experience of witnessing strangers and loved one's spiral into crystal addiction.

"Candid, clear and honest discussions about crystal meth are key to reducing its use in our community," said McMullin. "This is a drug that has thrown many people into crisis and they need to know there are compassionate people, that understand the challenges, leading successful treatments to help them get clean."
Crystal meth is more toxic than crack and more addictive than heroin. Gay and bisexual men on crystal are twice as likely to have an STD and four times more likely to get HIV. Gay and bisexual men on crystal represent 30% of new infections in San Francisco every year. Crystal is made with battery acid, drain cleaner, and propane or starter fluid.

Over the past year, STOP AIDS Project has maintained an ongoing marketing campaign dubbed, "Crystal Clear." The campaign is aimed at gay and bisexual men who have not used crystal but may be considering it and those who use is recreationally. The goal of the campaign is to prevent a new wave of crystal addicts by communicating facts about the drug so that they can make informed decisions.

Since the campaign's launch, more than 500 "Crystal Clear" t-shirts have been distributed to help change community norms about its use; more than 8,000 postcards have been distributed; permanent "Crystal Clear" ads have been placed in 100 businesses catering to gay and bisexual men; dozens of gay bars have placed "Crystal Clear" stickers in their windows; and STOP AIDS has produced or co-sponsored four community forums on the topic.

The STOP AIDS Project works to prevent the spread of HIV in San Francisco among gay and bisexual men through community-based education efforts.

See related article in Bay Area Reporter.