Q&A: Meth, men and myths: Substance use and the gay club scene: CrossCurrents Winter 2004/05

CrossCurrents

June Chua

This Q&A is based on an interview with Nick Boyce, harm reduction co-ordinator with the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), a community-based organization that provides support, HIV prevention and education services for people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Why did ACT recently create the gay men's harm reduction co-ordinator position?
Recent ACT research found a high rate of drug use in the gay club scene, and a lot of gay men were asking for information. At the same time, the City of Toronto was looking at a harm reduction approach to its health programs, so when ACT proposed the position last year, the city decided to fund the project. My role is to provide information in a non-judgmental way to help men minimize the risks associated with their behaviour.

The gay club scene is popularly associated with substance use. Is that the reality?
There is a high level of substance use in the gay club scene. It's common to talk about how drugs are bad, but it's important to consider what people consider the benefits. Consuming substances can be liberating; substances can provide an emotional release and a social experience. For many gay men, the club is the central point of their social lives; that's where they feel more comfortable. Having grown up with homophobia all their lives, the club can be a place of release, and drugs may help them open up. Having said this, there may be just as much drug use in non-gay clubs. But there is certainly stereotyping of the gay scene as being inundated with drugs, for example, in media portrayals.

Crystal methamphetamine seems to be growing in popularity as a gay club drug. What are the concerns surrounding its use?
Crystal boosts energy and stamina, so it's good for long hours of dancing. It's also cheap, and a "bump" that you snort up your nose lasts up to six hours. Crystal also produces feelings of confidence and euphoria, important for gay people who have internalized homophobia throughout their lives. Drugs are a way of escaping that. For some gay men, crystal makes them sexually aroused, leading to a prolonged sex session. Having sex for an extended time increases friction and abrasion, which can lead to an increased risk of transmitting diseases. Snorting crystal causes abrasions in the nose, and if men share equipment like straws or rolled-up bills to snort it, they can transfer blood-borne diseases like hepatitis C or HIV.

What other drugs are popular in the gay club scene, and what are the associated risks?
Our recent survey of nightclubs found that 54 per cent used ecstasy, 23 per cent marijuana, 16 per cent cocaine, 14 per cent GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), 13 per cent ketamine, 8 per cent poppers (amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, isobutyl nitrate) and 7 per cent crystal meth. For gay men, the club scene and club friends can become their sole social circle. Men can run into financial difficulties because clubbing and drug use become ingrained into their lifestyle. The bar scene is where you meet people; it's a part of gay history, so you just keep trying other drugs. It can become a vicious circle.

What are you doing at ACT to address the issue of substance use and unsafe sex in the gay club scene?
We have a web site (www.torontovibe.com) that talks about safe use and the possible consequences of the drugs that are out there. We do outreach and distribute condoms and lubrication. We put out posters and conduct workshops with various groups. But it's not just about the gay club scene; a lot of clubs have mixed crowds. At the University of Toronto, which holds dance events at nightclubs, we educate volunteers about what they can expect to have to deal with at clubs. In terms of the gay club scene, we're planning community forums to talk about drug use, particularly crystal meth. We also recruit volunteers and send them into clubs to talk to people. Most of them know the gay club scene and are able to relate to the clubbers. I myself am in touch with club owners, DJs, promoters and police, who are all very supportive of our work.

The Toronto Rave Information Project has been an invaluable source of information. We also work with Rainbow Services, an addiction recovery program for non-heterosexuals run by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, as well as various AIDS organizations and people in the harm reduction field.

What are the challenges in talking to gay men about their drug use or sexual practices?
It's often a matter of how you approach a person. I'm an active club goer, so I know the language, which helps. You need to find common ground and use open-ended questions. If I'm at a club and someone is high, I'll start with "How are you doing?" and "Are you liking the music?" Then I might ask "Have you done any 'party favours' or 'treats'?" Sometimes asking about drugs can open up feelings associated with the social stigma of using them, so the person clams up. When I'm with someone who's willing to talk, I'll challenge some of his perceptions and talk about the risks he may not be aware of. Often, people will ask for more information. Hopefully, if they learn something new, they can make an educated choice. That's the aim of my work.

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