Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #361  -  Changing drug use among MSM in England: the introduction of crystal methamphetamine
Session:
  6.27: Posters A (Poster) on Monday   in  Chaired by
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Mr Ford Hickson - University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
 
  Additional Authors:   
Aim:
To describe: changes in popularity of different drugs among MSM over a six year period, including crystal, a relatively new drug to the UK; associations with crystal use; levels and distribution of concern about alcohol and drug use.
 
Method / Issue:
Two cross-sectional surveys in 1999 (N=2684) and 2005 (N=4009) recruited through community-based gay men's health services across England (71 agencies in 1999; 107 agencies in 2005). Questions included demographic variables, use of 11 drugs in the last year in 1999, with crystal added in 2005, and measures of concern about alcohol and drug use.
 
Results / Comments:
In both years, by far the most popular drugs were alcohol, poppers and marijuana. Relative to the proportions who had used them in 1999, there were large increases in the proportions using ketamine and cocaine and large decreases in use of speed and LSD. In 2005, crystal was used in the last year by 3% of the national sample, 6% of Londoners, 20% of HIV positive Londoners and 35% of HIV positive Londoners with 30 or more sex partners in the last year. 71% of all crystal users had used once or twice only in the last year. Poly-drug use is the norm: apart from alcohol, no drug was exclusively used by more than 1% of the sample. Overall, more men expressed concern about alcohol use than other drug use, however, those using crystal showed the highest levels of concern.
 
Discussion:
There is an economy of drugs among MSM in which different drugs rise and fall in popularity. Crystal is making slow but sure inroads into the MSM population at the epicentre of the UK HIV epidemic. Users show highest levels of concern. Focussed interventions for crystal prevention and recovery will be more efficient than national campaigns.
 
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