Community Reactions to Campaigns Addressing Crystal Methamphetamine Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in New York City

• Published in: Journal of drug education Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 297 - 315
• Main Authors: Nanin, Jose E, Parsons, Jeffrey T, Bimbi, David S, Grov, Christian, Brown, Justin T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baywood Publishing Company, Inc 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bisexuality; Central Nervous System Stimulants - administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Promotion; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Males; Methamphetamine - administration & dosage; Middle Aged; New York; New York City - epidemiology; Public Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Whites; New York; New York City
• ISSN: 0047-2379
• DOI: 10.2190/9818-1W43-1876-2062

Crystal methamphetamine (aka "crystal meth") use with high-risk sex has become an emerging health problem for gay and bisexual men in New York City since the late 1990s. Public health campaigns were eventually developed to encourage gay and bisexual men to avoid or reconsider using crystal meth. Reactions to three campaigns were measured with a cross-sectional survey administered in 2004. Among an ethnically-diverse sample of 971 gay and bisexual men, 61.8% reported seeing the campaigns. Those who reported ever using crystal meth, recent use, and recent use with sex were significantly more likely to have seen the campaigns. In general, white men, HIV-negative men, and men not currently using crystal meth responded more positively to the campaigns than their counterparts; yet, more men of color reported having discussions with partners and friends about their crystal use as a result of these campaigns. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)