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Researchers report that increased
use of crystal methamphetamine is driving up incidence of HIV among men who
have sex with men (MSM) in London. Ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, y-butyrolactone,
and speed are also widely available among MSM in London, according to Tony Kirby
and Michelle Thornber-Dunwell, authors of the Lancet article.
There were 3,010 new cases of HIV in
the United Kingdom in 2011, and 1,296 of these infections were diagnosed in
London. Thornber-Dunwell and Kirby stated that use of crystal meth increases
the risk of HIV, hepatitis C, and other STDs.
Increased incidence was noted at two
London locations, the 56 Dean Street Clinic and the CODE clinic. Of the 511 new
cases of HIV diagnosed at the Dean Street Clinic, 482 infections occurred among
MSM. The CODE clinic is home to Antidote, which provides drug and alcohol
services for LGBT people. UK drug clinics are struggling to meet the demand for
services, reported David Stuart of Antidote. Stuart said 75 percent of the MSM
using CODE’s services are HIV-infected. Most of these men—60 percent—say they
do not take antiretroviral (ARV) medicines when they are using drugs. Not
taking ARVs makes transmission of the virus more likely. Stuart said the
availability of drugs and ease of finding sex parties and drug dens via the
Internet compound the problem.
Kirby and Thornber-Dunwell reported
that the practice of slamming—dissolving crystal meth or mephedrone in water or
blood and injecting them—creates a “perfect storm” for the transmission of HIV
and hepatitis C. Slammers sometimes stay high for days, having unprotected sex
with multiple partners.
The full report, “High-Risk Drug
Practices Tighten Grip on London Gay Scene,” was published in the journal The
Lancet (2013; 381(9861):101-102).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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