Key Points About Crystal Meth
Crystal Meth: Physical Aspects/What Meth Does
• Crystal meth is not good for you. Compared to other recreational drugs (e.g., ecstasy, GHB, ketamine), it is unusually strong and addictive. Crystal meth overstimulates the neural pathways of the brain. Damage to these pathways can lead to long-term depression, anxiety, paranoia, and/or the inability to feel pleasure. Crystal meth dehydrates the body and constricts the blood vessels, straining the heart, liver, kidneys, and digestive system. It can lead to tooth decay and loss, as well as gum problems.
• Crystal meth poses a special health risk to users who are already HIV-positive. For people living with HIV/AIDS, crystal meth use can compromise the immune system, leaving the user vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Crystal meth use can also lead to 'treatment vacations' — when users miss scheduled doses of their HIV medications.
• Crystal meth increases the user's risk of HIV infection. Research has shown this to be true for people sharing the equipment they use to snort or inject the drug. Crystal meth also dries out the body’s mucous membranes. This increases the likelihood of abrasion during oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, which in turn increases the risk of HIV transmission when condoms are not used.
• Crystal meth use increases sexual risk-taking among gay and bisexual men. Anecdotal evidence suggests that crystal meth leads some men to engage in unprotected sex when they normally wouldn’t. It should be noted, however, that while some research studies support this, others are inconclusive.
Crystal Meth: Cultural Aspects/What ACT Is Doing
• The relationship between crystal meth and unsafe sex is not one of simple cause and effect. Anecdotal evidence shows a link between crystal meth use and sexual risk-taking among gay and bisexual men. In other affected communities, however, the link between crystal meth use and sexual risk-taking is less clear. This would suggest that there are underlying cultural issues/attitudes within the gay and bisexual community which lead to increased sexual risk-taking when combined with crystal meth use.
• For AIDS service organizations to respond meaningfully to the crystal meth problem, they must address the complexities of meth use and sex. In similar contexts, 'Just Say No'-type prevention messages have been shown to be ineffective. Based on the research at hand, ACT has opted instead to focus on the cultural and social factors that lead gay and bisexual men to try crystal meth in the first place, and to take sexual risks while using the drug. To date, ACT has hosted community forums and created information resources for current and potential crystal meth users.
• ACT is seeking funding to create a high-visibility crystal meth awareness campaign. In February 2005, ACT applied for a grant from the Health Canada Drug Strategy to develop an awareness campaign that addresses the reasons why gay and bisexual men use crystal meth and why they take sexual risks while under the influence of the drug. Pending receipt of the grant, ACT will develop and launch the first phase of the campaign in collaboration with the Bay/BIsexual Men's Crystal Meth task force.
• Crystal meth is not just an HIV/AIDS issue. It's also a poverty issue, a mental health issue, and an addiction issue. It requires a broad-based approach that brings together the expertise of AIDS service organizations and social service agencies. ACT plays a leadership role on the newly formed Gay/Bisexual Men’s Crystal Meth Task force. Comprised of agencies such as ACT and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, as well as government representatives and community members, the Task Force has been formed to deal with crystal meth in an effective, holistic fashion.
