Crystal meth usage

New data from the annual National Gay Men's Sex Survey 2005 shows that only a small minority of gay men in the UK had used the drug crystal meth in the last year. The annual survey asked over 16,000 gay and bisexual men questions about their recreational drug use. The initial findings show that fewer than 3% of gay men had used crystal meth in the previous year and just 0.3% of men used crystal meth once or more a week.

Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said, “Recent media portrayals have given the impression that crystal meth use is widespread and is driving the HIV epidemic in the UK. This data provides us with the first reliable snapshot of what is really happening. Whilst crystal meth use is a minority activity, it is also important to recognise that its use could increase and that crystal meth use will be problematic for some men. This data helps gay health and drug programmes to measure the real extent of gay men's recreational drug use and respond accordingly.”

Regional data reports for the 2005 Gay Men's Sex Survey can be viewed atwww.sigmaresearch.org.uk.

Story from Gay Times - www.gaytimes.co.uk

Published: 23rd July 2006 by Lee (updated Thu 21st Jan)