Boston Globe Examines Crystal Methamphetamine Use Among MSM in New England
The Boston Globe on Sunday examined how crystal methamphetamine is "slowly establishing ... foothold" in New England, particularly among men who have sex with men. Health care and social workers who specialize in treating MSM have reported seeing an increasing number of patients who are using the drug regularly, and the trend "threatens the advances made in combating" HIV/AIDS, according to experts, the Globe reports. According to a 2004 survey of 1,000 MSM conducted by Massachusetts health authorities, about 10% of the men surveyed had tried crystal meth in the past year and 2% said they used the drug at least once a week. The increase in crystal meth use in the region has prompted campaigns by public health officials and medical specialists to "stop small outbreaks of use from raging into wildfires," according to the Globe (Smith, Boston Globe, 4/24). The complete article is available online.
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