Bay Windows - December 9, 2004
Ethan Jacobs

Some health advocates in the gay community have taken a hard line against crystal use, most notably AIDSMeds.com founder Peter Staley, whose New York-based poster sports the tagline, "Huge Sale! Buy crystal, get HIV free!" The Fenway site, launched in late November, takes a more moderate approach, offering information about quitting as well as tips for users about how to reduce health risks associated with the highly addictive stimulant.

Rodney VanDerwarker, Fenway's director of research and evaluation, said Fenway opted for a harm-reduction approach to the crystal site to avoid alienating men who are not ready or willing to quit.

"The reality is that's the way you get people started down the path of making better decisions for themselves," said VanDerwarker.

The site marks the newest phase in Fenway's campaign to educate Boston's gay and bi male communities about the dangers associated with crystal, a drug that has been on the rise in Boston, San Francisco, New York, and other cities around the country. In recent months, Fenway's MBTA billboards and ads in the gay press have sounded a warning about the links between addiction to crystal and HIV transmission. GLBT health advocates believe that the increased sex drive and loss of inhibitions associated with crystal lead users to have risky and unsafe sex, potentially fueling transmission of HIV and other STDs.

The Web site "is really Part B of that campaign," said VanDerwarker.

This time the target is not subway commuters or newspaper readers; it's people on the Web. As more and more men find sex partners through Internet chat rooms and personals sites, men searching for "PNP," aka party and play - crystal-fueled sex parties - have become ubiquitous. VanDerwarker said he hopes men who use the Internet to find sex partners and drugs will also turn to the Fenway site to educate themselves about the potential effects of crystal use and the resources available for quitting.

In keeping with the campaign's harm reduction approach, the site features information on the myriad ways to ingest the drug and tips to reduce the health risks associated with each of those methods. The site also explains the health effects of crystal on the body and discusses the link between crystal, unsafe sex, and HIV. There is a quiz for visitors to assess whether their use has gotten out of hand and a guide for people who are addicted to begin taking back their life. Currently the site features information about the various treatment and detox options provided by the Fenway, and VanDerwarker said there will eventually be a more comprehensive list of crystal-related resources.

To reach men on the Web Fenway is working with Manhunt.net, one of the more popular gay hook-up Web sites, to place an ad on Manhunt directing people to Fenway's crystal site. VanDerwalker said he expects the ad to be up sometime in the coming weeks.

Treatment Options

Like many GLBT health providers around the country, Fenway has seen growing numbers of clients dealing with addiction to crystal. Will Halpin, a substance abuse counselor, psychotherapist and medical social worker for the Fenway, said since June 2004 about 23 percent of all people who have walked into Fenway's outpatient substance abuse clinic have cited crystal as one of the addictions that they're trying to kick.

"What we're seeing at the clinic is the tip of the iceberg," explained Halpin, who said anecdotal evidence suggests that addiction to crystal is widespread in Boston's gay and bi male communities. "There's just a lot more people that are struggling with the problem that aren't coming in."

Over the past couple of years Fenway has developed programs to meet the needs of people dealing with crystal addiction. Halpin said people can take a "cafeteria-style" approach to accessing Fenway's crystal programs, choosing those that make the most sense for their situation. Like the Web site, Fenway's treatment options take a harm-reduction approach, and while Halpin said there are effective ways to reduce health risks for crystal users, he acknowledged that many people believe the drug is too addictive and damaging to be used long term.

"Harm reduction among crystal use is such a touchy subject," said Halpin. But he explained that Fenway wants people to feel comfortable using their services regardless of whether or not they want to quit.

For people trying to quit, Halpin said Fenway recommends that people come in for a two week course of acupuncture treatments, usually for daily 45-minute sessions.

"Daily acupuncture is very helpful in terms of soothing symptoms of anxiety [and] cravings," explained Halpin.

For clients with more severe detox needs, Fenway refers clients to Victory Programs, Inc, a Boston-based residential treatment program, and to Brookline's Triangle Partial Hospitalization Program. Unfortunately, for users needing a thorough crystal detox, resources are scarce. From a medical standpoint, there are no physical symptoms associated with crystal withdrawal, although there is often severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Detox centers that treat addictions to alcohol, heroin, and other substances almost always turn away crystal addicts.

"You'll be hard-pressed to find an inpatient detox program willing to take someone with crystal meth [addiction]," explained Halpin.

Fenway also offers a number of on-site groups for people struggling with addiction.

"We have a [Wednesday night program] for people who aren't committed to sobriety but want information about how to cut back or use more safely," said Halpin.

Halpin recommends the Wednesday evening crystal group as a staring point, emphasizing that the group places zero pressure on attendees to commit to quitting.

"They don't have to sign anything or fill out anything, they can just walk into that Wednesday night group," said Halpin.

Fenway also hosts two peer-run crystal meth anonymous groups and a Fenway-run substance abuse drop-in group.

For those committed to sobriety, Fenway offers two weekly contract groups, where attendees commit both to quit using and to attend regular meetings. Those interested in joining the contract groups must complete a screening to insure they are right for the group.

Fenway also provides individual counseling; Halpin stressed that the service is also open to people regardless of whether or not they want to quit.

"We really try to meet people where they're at," said Halpin.

Fenway's Web site is at http://www.fenwayhealth.org/crystalmeth

Ethan Jacobs is a staff writer at Bay Windows. His e-mail address is ejacobs@baywindows.com.

041209
BY041201

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .