Crystal Meth and Methamphetamines
Crystal meth is growing in popularity with in the broader community but especially within the gay community. Research which shows that if you are an HIV positive gay man you’re more likely to engage in crystal use for sex. Crystal meth is known as a drug where it is easy to ‘get into difficulties’. If you believe that your usage is starting to take over your day-to-day life, it might be time to reassess things.
To help you understand some of the background context of crystal meth and why people use it the ABC Background titled ‘On thin ice’ shows meth usage amongst Victorians and the BBC feature titled ‘Chemsex’ uncovers the use of drugs to enhance pleasure during sex.
What is Living Positive Victoria doing to address crystal meth usage?
In 2015, there was a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and Living positive Victoria made a submission to the public process that can be viewed here. As a result of this submission, Living Positive Victoria was asked to present to the joint committee as part of the HIV sector roundtable including Linda Forbes (AFAO), Nicolas Parkhill (ACON), Tony Maynard (NAPWHA) and Craig Cooper (Positive Life NSW), which can be found here.
Turning Tina – turning a corner on crystal meth for PLHIV
Turning Tina, a co-production of Living Positive Victoria and The Institute of Many (TIM), has taken the voices and experiences of people living with HIV to help others who are trying to get on top of their crystal meth use.
Too many people in our community are struggling to find ways to reduce the risks, minimise the harms and find ways to avoid the problematic use often associated with crystal meth. This resource represents our commitment to ensuring that we support people living with HIV who are seeking harm minimisation advice on crystal meth using peer education and peer support networks.
For further information about this resource, please visit the TIM website
Injecting drugs
We understand that there is stigma in the broader community around injecting drug use. However, your health is our priority and our purpose is to assist find ways to keep you healthier and safer.
Injecting is mostly done by people who have learnt from peers, or other people in the same circles of drug use. While you might think someone is pretty confident about the process of injecting, but you should be careful as there is the potential to do serious damage to your body.
If you’re interested in learning more about this, please contact us on 03 9863 8740.
Getting assistance to reduce problematic drug use
Harm Reduction Victoria – Offers connections to a range of support services and information centres for all people living in Victoria.
Touchbase – Drug and alcohol information for LGBTI Australians
VAC Alcohol and Other Drugs Services – If you are from an LGBTIQ background or a man who has sex with other men, you can access individual counselling, therapeutic groups and one-on-one support for care recovery and coordination.