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Drugs and AlcoholContents:FACT SHEET Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Use in Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT)Communities Potential Approaches to Alcohol, Tobacco & other Drugs Work with LGBT Queenslanders Crystal Meth: the Demon of the Millennium
Potential Approaches to Alcohol, Tobacco & other Drugs Work with LGBT QueenslandersQAHC has produced a brief document outlining the needs of LGBT people relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and suggesting actions to meet these needs, in the areas of:
View the document here. Crystal Meth: the Demon of the New Mellennium?There was a lot of media interest in Crystal during 2006. From Oprah to SBS people have been paraded before the public because their lives have been ruined by crystal meth and experts have talked about addiction from one use of this drug. Closer to home for LGBT people the Sydney Start Observer ran a stream of articles about the devastation experienced in the Sydney gay scene from the drug, but what’s the story here in Queensland? The truth is that it’s hard to know what the truth is. The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities has been watching the media controversy and asking what do we need to do about this drug? What are its impacts in Queensland and what should our response be to members of the LGBT community? QAHC has been gathering information on crystal meth and its use for some time. We have some survey data and other information and thought it timely to publish this report for members of the LGBT community who use crystal or are wondering what it’s all about. Crystal meth is just one name for the street form of the drug, methamphetamine hydrochloride. It’s also called Tina, Ice or Meth and the speed we get today is usually crystal that has been ‘cut’ with other products to reduce its potency for those who prefer it the old fashioned way. Crystal meth comes in clear, chunky crystals, which are usually inhaled by smoking or they can be snorted, swallowed or injected. We’re told it is easily produced in small, illegal drug labs, by mixing a cocktail of about 15 substances, mostly pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous and iodine, but it also including products such as ammonia, paint thinner, Drano and even lithium from batteries.
If the crystals are crushed it becomes a white powder that looks like speed but it is immensely more powerful. It tastes bitter but is usually odorless and if smoked or injected it delivers a very quick and intense high, with feelings of euphoria and invulnerability experienced by many users. Health professionals say crystal meth has become popular in Australia for a number of reasons. It is a relatively cheap drug that gives a quick high and, in initial stages of use, it actually gives the energy that allows users to keep working or be active. The 2006 Queensland gay periodic survey showed crystal and speed usage was behind marijuana and ecstasy. Among those who answered questions about drug use in the last six months 38 per cent had tried marijuana, 30 per cent had used ecstasy, 22 per cent had used speed and 14 per cent had used crystal meth. Only 9 per cent had used cocaine and 1 per cent had used heroin. In a drug and alcohol survey QAHC conducted on line last year the percentages were about the same or slightly lower but we were able to ask a few more questions and it was interesting that 26% of all amphetamine users were using their drugs weekly or more frequently and 37% reported that their drug usage had caused them to engage in sexual activity that they would have otherwise not engaged in. Additionally 18% identified that they had a problem with their drug and alcohol usage. We have also found that a lot of LGBT users of crystal in Queensland use the term crystal to describe the drug effect they are seeking and if they get speed which is especially good they will call it crystal too, so the usage of crystal and speed may have to be considered as a combined figure in our community. This may be because the effects considered desirable are by and large similar in both drugs and in their current manufacturer they are often the same product with differing levels of potency through cutting. Both crystal and speed are amphetamine drugs but crystal meth is a more potent version. Crystal both stimulates and disinhibits your system; it can make you feel like a superperson, capable of long sex sessions where the desire for sex can put the need for condoms and safer sex to one side. Crystal users also experience feelings of exhilaration and heightened alertness. Like all amphetamines it can also increase your heart rate and your blood pressure. It can raise your body temperature and cause seizures. For people with HIV, it’s thought that crystal’s interaction with HIV medication could result in an accidental crystal overdose. Crystal makes many users horny but it also makes it difficult for some guys to get a hard on, so some crystal users also take Viagra to overcome this temporary impotency. The problem in using Viagra is that it has it’s own consequences, Viagra dilates your blood vessels, and the overall stress on your heart from combining this drug with crystal can put a dangerous strain on your heart, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Reports of deaths and hospitalisations associated with crystal use and nightclub events have amplified the general public’s awareness to crystal as a party drug, but its use in sexual environments is not really talked about and is one we should be concerned about. Most medical emergencies that occur at dance events are caused by heat stroke and exhaustion due to overexertion and disregard for well-being, both of which may result from drug use. For the gay community the sexual desire and physical stamina associated with crystal use can lead to poor decisions about safe sex and extended sex sessions, which themselves can lead to an increased risk of getting STIs and HIV. Other risks reported from using crystal are that it can bring on paranoia, short term memory loss, wild rages and mood swings as well as damage to your immune system. As far as we know, it is not physically addictive, although many have quickly developed a very strong psychological and damaging dependence for the drug. Overdosing can lead to severe convulsions followed by circulatory and respiratory collapse, coma and death. Some people are reported to have died after taking small doses. Crystal use has had serious consequences for the gay community in the southern states of Australia with the gay press reporting increased levels of aggression in usually friendly gay nightclubs and many people finding the consequences of usage getting out of hand, with some men loosing jobs and relationships as crystal use takes over as the main focus of a persons life. If you’ve experienced problems with this drug or know someone who wants to cut back or quit there are some things you can do. First off, think of quitting or reducing as a process rather than an event. Do what feels right for you and make changes where you can. Most of all: Don’t give up! You will get there in the end. Here are some tips taken from the ACON booklet “Crystal: Reducing – Quitting” • Become aware of your using patterns Keep a diary or make a list of when, where, why and with whom you use crystal. Review your diary or list to see if there are patterns. • Make a plan. Decide whether you are going to reduce your use or quit. Then using your diary or list write down some strategies for breaking your patterns such as some of the ones below. • Set small goals that are easier to reach. You will help increase your confidence and feel that each step is manageable. A goal could be using one point instead of two or only use twice a month rather than every weekend. • Get rid of or hide all your crystal as well as drug paraphernalia. Having drug paraphernalia around can act as a trigger. • Avoid places, people or situations that might trigger you to use. Triggers might include specific places (saunas, clubs, or friends' houses), specific events, types of sex or certain stressful or emotional situations. • Look after your body. The combined effects of your crystal use and the physical and psychological stress of quitting or reducing can be hard on your body. To help your body repair itself and reduce the effects of withdrawal you should look after yourself by exercising, eating healthy food and getting lots of rest and sleep. • Don’t go it alone! You don’t have to do all of this alone. You could attend a support group like GLADS, spend time with friends who don’t use or see a counselor. Check out the contacts list at the end of this article for details. • Look after your health. Regular or frequent crystal use can be hard on your body. You might be able to help your recovery by: seeing your doctor or community health centre for advice and a full check up. You could also explore complementary therapies to help with cravings, balancing moods and sleeping. Substance use and sexual risk-taking among men who have sex with men (MSM): Implications for health promotion and HIV preventionThis literature review provides an overview and discussion of the following topics related to MSM and the general population:
Linkshttp://www.acon.org.au/health/index.cfm?cat_id=103 ACON booklet and information on crystal meth ATODS (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services): offers a 24 hour alcohol and drug information service 1800 177 833 http://www.crystalneon.org a Seattle website for gay men GLADS (Gay and Lesbian Alcohol and Drug Support Group): Phone Wendell - 38571222 http://notes.med.unsw.edu.au/ndarcweb.nsf/page/home National Drug and Alcohol Research centre page with several printable resources on crystal meth QuIHN: Queensland Injectors Health network Phone: 07 3620 8111 or 1800 172 076 (Outside Brisbane) http://www.quihn.org.au/ http://www.vicaids.asn.au/Content/ContentPage.asp?PageID=104 Victorian AIDS Council fact sheet on crystal |