USA. Blueprint – A Community Response to Crystal Meth
USA. Blueprint – A Community Response to Crystal Meth
Presented by Harm Reduction Coalition in partnership with Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) and The Counter Narrative Project, USA, 2018
Crystal methamphetamine use among Black and Latino gay and bisexual men is a growing phenomenon with few resources devoted to addressing it. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2015, over 10,000 young Black gay and bisexual men in the US were diagnosed with HIV, more than any other subgroup by race/ethnicity, age and gender. Also there have been anecdotal reports of Black and Latino MSM who are new initiates to crystal methamphetamine injection during sexual encounters, with potential for sharing injection equipment, thus increasing risks for HIV and Hep C contraction and the spread of new infections.
Harm Reduction is a proven strategy that can provide a framework with concrete tools to help providers support and engage Black and Latino gay and bisexual men who are using crystal ethamphetamine in conversations about how to reduce risks. These conversations can also focus in identifying the role that trauma, mental health, social isolation and personal/structural violence play in their lives and well-being.