Bad Return

Meth Use Is Rising Among NYC Gays…Again

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Recent updates from a long-running CDC study show meth use among gay men in NYC has doubled since 2011.

The CDC’s National HIV Behavioral Surveillance consistently surveys gay and bisexual men about meth use, and their newest report is bad news. The meth use is determined via a study among gay and bi men done every 3-4 years in cities with high rates of HIV/AIDS, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

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Meth use among the men in NYC surveyed dropped from 13.8 percent to 5.8 percent  from 2004-2008, and down even further to 4.3 percent by 2011. However, the use more than doubled from 2011-2014, all the way up to 9.2 percent. According to the survey, meth use has dropped sharply in San Francisco, but they have more reported meth users than New York City —  13.1 percent to 9.2 percent.

More information on the report can be found here. We’re aware that the numbers are based on fairly limited data, but the report gives a factual basis to stories of rising meth use that we’ve been hearing for quite some time.

Although some don’t want to hear it, meth is extremely damaging for gay men, especially whose who are HIV positive. It can be conquered, but trust us — it’ll be better for you to just leave Tina right where she is. We hear she can be a real bitch.

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