Methamphetamine use trends among street-recruited gay and bisexual males, from 1999 to 2007

Abstract

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.

FIGURE 1

Use of alcohol and other drugs among gay and bisexual male substance users January 1, 1999–December 31, 2007. Percent of participants reporting recent use of alcohol (closed circles) and other drug use among gay and bisexual male substance users contacted through street outreach in Hollywood and West Hollywood, California from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2007. Labeling on X axis refers to 6-month time periods (i.e., 1H99 first half of 1999, etc.).