Popular gay clubbing drug becoming global issue

By Marc Shoffman • March 1, 2006 - 0:00

Also known as 'tina', 'krank' or 'ice', the ease of production due to poor restrictions on manufacturing the chemicals, and euphoric effects have ensured dramatic escalation of the drug's distribution worldwide

No Comments Yet on Popular gay clubbing drug becoming global issue

The use of crystal meth is becoming a global problem, according to the United Nations.

Crystal meth, or methamphetamine is already rife amongst the gay dance scene and doctors predict it will spiral out of control into the UK's mainstream culture

Also known as 'tina', 'krank' or 'ice', the ease of production due to poor restrictions on manufacturing the chemicals, and euphoric effects have ensured dramatic escalation of the drug's distribution worldwide. Crystal users experience a temporary sense of supreme confidence, alertness and have an increased perception of self-attractiveness. On the other hand it also delivers paranoia, agitation and violence in some individuals.

Professor Hamid Ghodse, president of a United Nations' drug control agency, told the Times: "If I want to pick on one major drug problem pandemic today, it is methamphetamine.

"It has not yet affected that much of Western European countries and the UK but, as we know, as drug misuse occurs in North America, sooner or later it gets here."

"We are trying to encourage governments to focus on the precursor chemicals used in the drug's manufacture, so that we can try to prevent any wider abuse of methamphetamine."

In November PinkNews.co.uk reported on the dangers of the drug for the gay community and said that Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, was on alert and may move it to a class A drug.

Amongst the gay club scene meth is having drastic consequences. The increased arousal fuels users to completely abandon safe sex whilst involving themselves with multiple partners, many of whom are HIV+.

Share this story with the world These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.