Methamphetamine use trends among street-recruited gay and bisexual males, from 1999 to 2007.
Street outreach encounters were used to collect data of reported alcohol and other drug use among gay and bisexual males (N = 11,375) in Hollywood and West Hollywood, California over a 9-year period from January 1999 to December 2007. Analyses were conducted to assess demographic data, self-reported HIV status, and frequency of alcohol and other drug use. Participants averaged 32.3 (SD = 7.7) years, slightly over half were Caucasian/white (53%), and most were identified as gay (85.8%). Self-reported HIV seroprevalence was 20.7%. Observations began January to June 1999, with 46.0% reporting recent methamphetamine use, and ended July to December 2007, with 24.8% reporting recent use of methamphetamine. Percent reporting methamphetamine use peaked in the first half of 2002 at 53% and dipped to a low of 11.1% in the second half of 2006. Findings demonstrate the common use of methamphetamine over the observation period in this high-risk group even in the face of a recent decline in reported use. These data also indicate the need for ongoing methamphetamine abuse and HIV-prevention interventions in this particular high-risk population.
Friends Research Institute, Inc., 1419 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA. reback@friendsresearch.org
Cathy J
CJ
Reback
Steven
S
Shoptaw
Christine E
CE
Grella
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012944:Social Support; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine