THT launches drugs awareness campaign
Sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has launched a new campaign this week to provide support and information to gay men about drugs, HIV and sex.
“Drugfucked” offers outreach work, one-to-one counselling and a series of information booklets examining how different drugs affect health, sexual behaviour and HIV medication.
The Gay Men’s Sex Survey (2005) showed that drug use was widespread amongst gay men.
Men who use drugs were more likely to have unprotected anal sex, had unprotected sex with more partners and were more likely to have sex with someone of a different HIV status.
Marc Thompson, Acting Deputy Head of Health Promotion at The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) said: “It’s a fact that many gay men take drugs so we wanted to provide information that gives the facts as clearly as possible.”
“Drugfucked” offers individual booklets on acid, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, poppers, speed, steroids and viagra.
“THT also have a new drugs specialist in the LADS outreach team who will be working in gay venues in London to offer information and advice to gay men,” said Mr Thompson.
A free one-to-one counselling service for substance misuse and addiction is also available with drug councilors in their London offices.
“We want people to know that if gay men need information or support regarding drug use, THT is here to help.”
To find out more about the booklets or outreach work visit www.tht.org.uk.
Booklets are also available in regional THT centres and GUM clinics, or can be ordered from www.tht.org.uk/publications.
For further information on free one-to-one counseling, or to book an appointment, call the THT Wellbeing Service on 020 7812 1777.
