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No simple relationship between drug use and risky sex in London gay men
Roger Pebody, 2014-04-01 13:00:00

Gay men involved in ‘chemsex’ (taking recreational drugs such as mephedrone, GHB/GBL and crystal methamphetamine during sex) have a range of experiences, with no single narrative able to sum up the impact of drug use on sexual behaviour and possible HIV transmission. While some men describe taking sexual risks that they subsequently regret, others are able to maintain consistent condom use or are HIV-positive men practising serosorting.

Thirty men living in south London who practise ‘chemsex’ took part in in-depth interviews with researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, whose report was published last week.

In recent years, there has been a flurry of anecdotal reports, sometimes sensationalist press coverage and health organisations’ expressions of concern about the phenomenon. Many have suggested that drug use among London gay men has reached unprecedented levels and that it is fuelling the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.

Particular concern has been expressed about the numbers of men – apparently increasing – who inject drugs, use crystal meth, attend sex parties, have chaotic patterns of use or overdose at commercial venues.

However, reliable data and relevant research are generally lacking.

Public health officials in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham (three south London boroughs with a very large population of gay men) therefore commissioned the new study, which aims to deepen understanding of chemsex. It was carried out in two parts: a re-analysis of quantitative survey data from 2010, plus more recent qualitative interviews with 30 gay men who practised chemsex. 

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