Methamphetamine, specifically crystal meth, is an illegal drug that reduces inhibitions and can cause reckless behavior. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) meth use amongst men who have unsafe sex with men is on the rise, and it increases their risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. According to Mike Rizzo, manager of the Crystal Meth Recovery Services Program (CMRS) at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC), there have been recent studies that have shown that meth use has increased in the Hollywood and West Hollywood area, which is at the center of the local LGBT community.

Crystal meth is a stimulant that is typically smoked and directly affects the brain and the spinal cord by interfering with the normal release and uptake of neurotransmitters, chemicals that nerve cells produce to communicate with each other. Some effects from using crystal meth include increased heart rate, blood pressure and appetite suppression.

“Crystal meth use has been a problem for some time,” said Lt. Lawrence Del Mese, of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. “A large portion of our arrests in West Hollywood are narcotics and crystal meth arrests.”

Det. Tommy Simpson, who works the narcotics detail in West Hollywood, has had more than a few run ins with users.

“They are unable to stay on task, don’t answer questions very well,” Simpson described. “They get agitated very easily and are pretty aggressive. It also really destroys their teeth.”

Rizzo acknowledged that when he started working at the LAGLC four years ago, 43 percent of people who tested positive for HIV at the center were meth users. While that number has dropped to 33 percent, Rizzo said that is still too high.

“The relationship between crystal meth and HIV is overwhelming,” Rizzo said.

Crystal meth also increases sexual arousal, something Rizzo attributed to the positive tests in the LGBT community.

“Meth lowers inhibitions thus lowering fears about STDs,” Rizzo said. “In that altered state, users may participate in risky behaviors like unprotected sex. Also, sex on meth can be very aggressive and result in condoms breaking.”

In response to the problem, the CMRS recently launched a new program called Methology aimed at gay and bisexual men who are not yet ready to get treatment.

“It’s a harm reduction approach,” Rizzo said. “Some people aren’t too sure if they want to stop or know how to stop and our goal is to move them from that contemplative approach to a more abstinent approach.”

Methology consists of five sessions including two group sessions, two social events and a one-on-one meeting. The participants are asked to set realistic goals like committing to more frequent HIV testing and reducing sex partners. After completing the program, the participants are encouraged to seek help through counseling groups offered at the center and, if ready, the Addiction Recovery Services program.

The program was funded by a five-year, $180,000 CDC grant given to the LAGLC last August.

Rizzo said that while the program has done a lot of good, it is still difficult to reach out to users because of the way the drug affects their lifestyle.

“They are hard to reach out to because of their covert actions,” Rizzo said.

He added that many crystal meth users meet other users and sex partners through online dating sites and social networking for party and play meetings, also known as PnP.

“It’s code for ‘I wanna hook up and get high,” Rizzo said.

CMRS launched online chats two weeks ago to attempt to reach out to meth users, offering advice weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rizzo and another staff member operate the chats, which are accessible through the LAGLC’s website at www.laglc.com. While users need to go through the website, Rizzo is trying to get the word out to meth users by putting the information on social networking sites, as well as creating profiles on the dating websites frequented by users to let them know the service is available.

“Right now we are seeing what the program can offer and hopefully it can grow in the future,” Rizzo said. “Hopefully we can grow enough to hire more staff and reach out and help more people.”