Topic: Sex & Crystal Meth: The New Epidemic in the LGBT Community

Crystal meth is methamphetamine hydrochloride, the street form of the drug methamphetamine that comes in clear, chunky crystals and is heated and smoked. Other common street names are "ice," "crystal," "glass," "jibb" and "tina."

In recent years, crystal meth has become the drug of choice in the gay men's party scene. Like the mainstream use of the drug, this trend spread from west to east - San Francisco to New York and Vancouver to Toronto. At "PNP" parties (shorthand for "party and play" - meaning sex and drugs), crystal meth increases energy and reduces sexual inhibition. And the superhuman feeling that often comes with a crystal meth high means the sex is often unprotected.

The dangerous mix of crystal meth use and unprotected sex got the world's attention in February 2005 when it was revealed that a New York City man who is a frequent crystal meth user and had unprotected sex with numerous other men contracted a highly virulent strain of HIV. The virus with which he is infected is resistant to three out of the four classes of commonly used HIV drug treatments, and is so fast-acting that it progressed from initial infection to full-blown AIDS within three months.

(source: CBC News - The Fifth Estate)
 

Guest: David Amico, B.A., M.Div., CAS, LISAP

Former Phoenix area radio talk show host returns to the airwaves! Joe is former therapist in private practice in Phoenix where he also hosted the Joe Amico Show, the Queer Voice of Arizona. In addition, he is a Certified Addiction Specialist and Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Professional. He speaks internationally on addictions and GLBT issues.

Joe is President of the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals (NALGAP); Vice President for Program Development and Community Educator for Alternatives, Inc., the only gay owned and operated Mental Health and Addictions Treatment program in the nation; on the Editorial Board for Addiction Professional and an ordained clergy member of the United Church of Christ.