Crystal Meth, the other epidemic
Gay.com staff, March 2005

"If the devil had invented a drug to lure gay men, it would be crystal."
So says longtime AIDS activist and recovering crystal addict Bob Hattoy, addressing the hold of the drug crystal methamphetamine on some gay men's psyches. The recent "supervirus" case -- involving a gay meth user in New York City who contracted a rare, drug-resistant strain of HIV through unsafe sex -- underscores the connection between crystal meth use and rising HIV and STD infection rates among men who have sex with men, causing HIV prevention workers, AIDS activists, drug counselors and writers to sound the alarm.

As the harrowing personal stories of gay meth addicts continue to come to light, and traditional safer-sex messages seem to be losing hold, the LGBT community is facing what has been termed "the other epidemic." We have collected here a wealth of recovery resources and outreach programs, including some practical solutions.

As Jason Riggs of the STOP AIDS Project writes, "The truth is, we all know crystal is a problem. It not only threatens us individually, but threatens our community's health in other ways as well. Almost every gay man in San Francisco, and in many other cities, knows someone who has lost a friend, roommate or partner because of that person's crystal use. Crystal use is eroding trust and friendships, the very foundations of community."