Methamphetamine Use Trends among Street-Recruited Gay and Bisexual Males, from 1999 to 2007

Abstract

Street outreach encounters were used to collect data of reported alcohol and other drug use among gay and bisexual males (N=11,375) in Hollywood and West Hollywood, California over a 9-year period from January 1999 to December 2007. Analyses were conducted to assess demographic data, self-reported HIV status, and frequency of alcohol and other drug use. Participants averaged 32.3 (SD=7.7) years, slightly over half were Caucasian/white (53%), and most were identified as gay (85.8%). Self-reported HIV seroprevalence was 20.7%. Observations began January to June 1999, with 46.0% reporting recent methamphetamine use, and ended July to December 2007, with 24.8% reporting recent use of methamphetamine. Percent reporting methamphetamine use peaked in the first half of 2002 at 53% and dipped to a low of 11.1% in the second half of 2006. Findings demonstrate the common use of methamphetamine over the observation period in this high-risk group even in the face of a recent decline in reported use. These data also indicate the need for ongoing methamphetamine abuse and HIV-prevention interventions in this particular high-risk population.

Crystal Methamphetamine Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Florida

“…First, 18% of respondents reported crystal methamphetamine use in the previous 12 months, among the highest of previously reported use rates in the USA. 1,[4][5][6]10 Second, crystal methamphetamine use is associated with elevated sexual risk behaviors among both HIV-negative and HIV-positive men. Third, we found evidence of continuing risk behaviors among HIV-positive crystal methamphetamine users with both their main and non-main sex partners.…”

“…3,5,7,10 Specifically, users of the drug report an increased number of sex partners, 11 an increased number of recent episodes of unprotected sex, 3,6,10,11 sex with partners of serodiscordant or unknown HIV status, 3,10 an increased likelihood of being infected with HIV or other STDs, 2,4,6 and psychological correlates including depression, loneliness, the avoidance of unpleasant emotions and physical pain, and sexual compulsivity. 1,2,4 Previous studies have recognized that knowledge of HIV-positive serostatus leads to a reduction in risk behaviors; however, it is not clear if this holds for HIVpositive MSM who use crystal methamphetamine.…”

Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Is Associated with Increased Psychological and Emotional Distress Among Transgender Women

“…Outreach procedures have been reported elsewhere. [16][17][18] All participants enrolled in the low-intensity health education/risk reduction HIV program who requested a higher level of intervention services were referred to the Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS) program. However, in addition to being within the eligible target population, that is, a self-reported trans woman, potential participants for the CRCS program must also selfreport multiple, complex needs and be at risk for infection or transmission of HIV.…”

Lifetime Substance Use and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Predict Treatment Response to Contingency Management Among Homeless, Substance-Dependent MSM

“…Drug and alcohol testing was administered twice-weekly, on two nonconsecutive days. An aggregate variable was created to represent the combination of stimulants and alcohol, which are frequently used substances in the study population (Reback, Shoptaw & Grella 2008). Urine samples free of metabolites for amphetamines (including methamphetamine), cocaine, and breathalyzer results indicating a blood alcohol level less than .05 g/dl (slightly more than half the California legal driving limit) (Barnett et al 2011) at each time point were aggregated into a composite measure known as the Treatment Effectiveness Score (TES) (Ling et al 1997).…”