There are complex historical connections between sexual minoritisation and desires to chemically ... more There are complex historical connections between sexual minoritisation and desires to chemically alter bodily experience. For gay men, drug and alcohol use can be a creative or experimental response to social marginalisation – and not necessarily a problematic one in every instance. Numerous studies have found that infection with HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is more likely among gay and men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs than those who do not, but the causal nature of these relations is uncertain. Sexualised drug use is associated with a range of other problems, including dependence, mental health issues, accident and overdose. A growing body of work in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) field demonstrates the action of drugs and their purported effects to be a product of their relations with various other actors, contexts and practices. Given these contingencies, it is impossible to predict the future of drugs or their effect on the sexual health of gay and MSM with any degree of certainty. This article outlines some of the conditions most likely to mediate such futures in the medium term. Public funding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer drug issues should not remain restricted to questions of HIV prevention and sexual health. It should be expanded to equip sexual health and AOD service providers with the cultural and sexual literacy to mitigate stigma and allow them to respond constructively to drug problems among sexual and gender minorities as a matter of priority.
We assessed interest in using rectal microbicides to prevent HIV transmission among gay men in Au... more We assessed interest in using rectal microbicides to prevent HIV transmission among gay men in Australia. A national online survey was conducted in 2013. Interest in using rectal microbicides was measured on a seven-item scale (α=0.81). Factors independently associated with greater interest in using a microbicide were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Data were collected from 1223 HIV-negative and untested men. Mean age was 31.3 years (SD=10.8, range 18-65); 77% were born in Australia and 25% reported any condomless anal sex with a casual partner in the previous 6 months. Overall, there was moderate interest in using rectal microbicides (M=3.33, range 1-5). In multivariate analysis, greater interest in using microbicides was independently associated with being born outside Australia (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.59; p=0.009), greater self-perceived likelihood of becoming HIV positive (AOR=3.40; p<0.001), less uncertainty about the efficacy of microbicides (AOR=0.65; p=0.0...
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia. The... more Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia. There were 58,456 notifications recorded in 2008, almost double the number of notifications in 2003 (30,193)[1-2]. There is evidence to suggest that increases in chlamydia notifications could be due to increased testing [3].
This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered... more This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. All other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the information manager, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
ABSTRACT Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that We... more ABSTRACT Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that Western societies are transitioning to a “post-gay” era, where same-sex attracted people no longer need to build an identity around sexual orientation and the lesbian and gay “scene” of bars and nightclubs. In a post-gay era, same-sex attracted people are thought to experience reduced minority stress about their sexuality.
Introduction and AimsThe findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexu... more Introduction and AimsThe findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexual orientation, despite the higher prevalence of drug use generally reported among gay and bisexual men. This paper aims to examine trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men in eastern Australia between 2004 and 2011.The findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexual orientation, despite the higher prevalence of drug use generally reported among gay and bisexual men. This paper aims to examine trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men in eastern Australia between 2004 and 2011.Design and MethodsData from the cross-sectional, ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) were used to analyse drug trends among gay and bisexual men in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Between 2004 and 2011, 45 273 eligible questionnaires were completed.Data from the cross-sectional, ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) were used to analyse drug trends among gay and bisexual men in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Between 2004 and 2011, 45 273 eligible questionnaires were completed.ResultsThere was a downward trend in recent drug use (previous 6 months) between 2004 and 2011 from 62.2% to 57.5%. However, this trend was not found among men in Queensland, bisexual men, men aged over 40 years or HIV-positive men. Club drug use peaked in 2006 (45.1%), before steadily declining to 32.4% in 2011. There were significant reductions in use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, increased use of cocaine, gamma hydroxybutyrate, erectile dysfunction medications, amyl nitrite and lysergic acid diethylamide, and no change in heroin use. Recent injecting drug use fluctuated over time but experienced an overall downward trend from 5.5% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011.There was a downward trend in recent drug use (previous 6 months) between 2004 and 2011 from 62.2% to 57.5%. However, this trend was not found among men in Queensland, bisexual men, men aged over 40 years or HIV-positive men. Club drug use peaked in 2006 (45.1%), before steadily declining to 32.4% in 2011. There were significant reductions in use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, increased use of cocaine, gamma hydroxybutyrate, erectile dysfunction medications, amyl nitrite and lysergic acid diethylamide, and no change in heroin use. Recent injecting drug use fluctuated over time but experienced an overall downward trend from 5.5% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011.Discussion and ConclusionsDrug use trends among gay and bisexual men in Australia are broadly consistent with downward and upward drug trends reported in other Australian drug surveys. The risks associated with drug use in this population and high rates of use supports the ongoing role of the GCPS in monitoring drug trends among homosexually active men.Drug use trends among gay and bisexual men in Australia are broadly consistent with downward and upward drug trends reported in other Australian drug surveys. The risks associated with drug use in this population and high rates of use supports the ongoing role of the GCPS in monitoring drug trends among homosexually active men.
Findings: After viewing the DVD, the majority of participants had a &#x27;better understandin... more Findings: After viewing the DVD, the majority of participants had a &#x27;better understanding of the benefits of treatment&#x27; (95%), and were &#x27;more likely to ask about hepatitis C treatment&#x27; (69%). Among participants not on opioid treatment, 37% were &#x27;more interested in the idea of treatment&#x27; ...
This study aimed to identify the practices of community pharmacists regarding the provision of bu... more This study aimed to identify the practices of community pharmacists regarding the provision of buprenorphine for opioid dependence and explore behaviors pharmacists considered indicative of buprenorphine diversion. A cross-sectional survey of 669 community pharmacists authorized to dispense buprenorphine or methadone was conducted in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. There was wide variation between pharmacies in the level of supervision provided during supervised buprenorphine dosing and a lack of clarity between pharmacists regarding what behaviors are examples of buprenorphine diversion. Compared to New South Wales, a higher proportion of Victorian pharmacists detected 1 or more episodes of buprenorphine diversion in the past year (65% vs. 28%; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) and in the past month (20% vs. 7%; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Detection of buprenorphine diversion was associated with the administration of crushed tablets (odds ratio = 2.77), broken tablets (odds ratio = 2.69), and having more buprenorphine clients (odds ratio = 1.24). Future research investigating the prevalence of buprenorphine diversion should include a clear definition of what behaviors constitute diversion.
There are complex historical connections between sexual minoritisation and desires to chemically ... more There are complex historical connections between sexual minoritisation and desires to chemically alter bodily experience. For gay men, drug and alcohol use can be a creative or experimental response to social marginalisation – and not necessarily a problematic one in every instance. Numerous studies have found that infection with HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is more likely among gay and men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs than those who do not, but the causal nature of these relations is uncertain. Sexualised drug use is associated with a range of other problems, including dependence, mental health issues, accident and overdose. A growing body of work in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) field demonstrates the action of drugs and their purported effects to be a product of their relations with various other actors, contexts and practices. Given these contingencies, it is impossible to predict the future of drugs or their effect on the sexual health of gay and MSM with any degree of certainty. This article outlines some of the conditions most likely to mediate such futures in the medium term. Public funding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer drug issues should not remain restricted to questions of HIV prevention and sexual health. It should be expanded to equip sexual health and AOD service providers with the cultural and sexual literacy to mitigate stigma and allow them to respond constructively to drug problems among sexual and gender minorities as a matter of priority.
We assessed interest in using rectal microbicides to prevent HIV transmission among gay men in Au... more We assessed interest in using rectal microbicides to prevent HIV transmission among gay men in Australia. A national online survey was conducted in 2013. Interest in using rectal microbicides was measured on a seven-item scale (α=0.81). Factors independently associated with greater interest in using a microbicide were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Data were collected from 1223 HIV-negative and untested men. Mean age was 31.3 years (SD=10.8, range 18-65); 77% were born in Australia and 25% reported any condomless anal sex with a casual partner in the previous 6 months. Overall, there was moderate interest in using rectal microbicides (M=3.33, range 1-5). In multivariate analysis, greater interest in using microbicides was independently associated with being born outside Australia (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.59; p=0.009), greater self-perceived likelihood of becoming HIV positive (AOR=3.40; p<0.001), less uncertainty about the efficacy of microbicides (AOR=0.65; p=0.0...
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia. The... more Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia. There were 58,456 notifications recorded in 2008, almost double the number of notifications in 2003 (30,193)[1-2]. There is evidence to suggest that increases in chlamydia notifications could be due to increased testing [3].
This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered... more This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. All other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the information manager, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
ABSTRACT Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that We... more ABSTRACT Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that Western societies are transitioning to a “post-gay” era, where same-sex attracted people no longer need to build an identity around sexual orientation and the lesbian and gay “scene” of bars and nightclubs. In a post-gay era, same-sex attracted people are thought to experience reduced minority stress about their sexuality.
Introduction and AimsThe findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexu... more Introduction and AimsThe findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexual orientation, despite the higher prevalence of drug use generally reported among gay and bisexual men. This paper aims to examine trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men in eastern Australia between 2004 and 2011.The findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexual orientation, despite the higher prevalence of drug use generally reported among gay and bisexual men. This paper aims to examine trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men in eastern Australia between 2004 and 2011.Design and MethodsData from the cross-sectional, ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) were used to analyse drug trends among gay and bisexual men in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Between 2004 and 2011, 45 273 eligible questionnaires were completed.Data from the cross-sectional, ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) were used to analyse drug trends among gay and bisexual men in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Between 2004 and 2011, 45 273 eligible questionnaires were completed.ResultsThere was a downward trend in recent drug use (previous 6 months) between 2004 and 2011 from 62.2% to 57.5%. However, this trend was not found among men in Queensland, bisexual men, men aged over 40 years or HIV-positive men. Club drug use peaked in 2006 (45.1%), before steadily declining to 32.4% in 2011. There were significant reductions in use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, increased use of cocaine, gamma hydroxybutyrate, erectile dysfunction medications, amyl nitrite and lysergic acid diethylamide, and no change in heroin use. Recent injecting drug use fluctuated over time but experienced an overall downward trend from 5.5% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011.There was a downward trend in recent drug use (previous 6 months) between 2004 and 2011 from 62.2% to 57.5%. However, this trend was not found among men in Queensland, bisexual men, men aged over 40 years or HIV-positive men. Club drug use peaked in 2006 (45.1%), before steadily declining to 32.4% in 2011. There were significant reductions in use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, increased use of cocaine, gamma hydroxybutyrate, erectile dysfunction medications, amyl nitrite and lysergic acid diethylamide, and no change in heroin use. Recent injecting drug use fluctuated over time but experienced an overall downward trend from 5.5% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011.Discussion and ConclusionsDrug use trends among gay and bisexual men in Australia are broadly consistent with downward and upward drug trends reported in other Australian drug surveys. The risks associated with drug use in this population and high rates of use supports the ongoing role of the GCPS in monitoring drug trends among homosexually active men.Drug use trends among gay and bisexual men in Australia are broadly consistent with downward and upward drug trends reported in other Australian drug surveys. The risks associated with drug use in this population and high rates of use supports the ongoing role of the GCPS in monitoring drug trends among homosexually active men.
Findings: After viewing the DVD, the majority of participants had a &#x27;better understandin... more Findings: After viewing the DVD, the majority of participants had a &#x27;better understanding of the benefits of treatment&#x27; (95%), and were &#x27;more likely to ask about hepatitis C treatment&#x27; (69%). Among participants not on opioid treatment, 37% were &#x27;more interested in the idea of treatment&#x27; ...
This study aimed to identify the practices of community pharmacists regarding the provision of bu... more This study aimed to identify the practices of community pharmacists regarding the provision of buprenorphine for opioid dependence and explore behaviors pharmacists considered indicative of buprenorphine diversion. A cross-sectional survey of 669 community pharmacists authorized to dispense buprenorphine or methadone was conducted in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. There was wide variation between pharmacies in the level of supervision provided during supervised buprenorphine dosing and a lack of clarity between pharmacists regarding what behaviors are examples of buprenorphine diversion. Compared to New South Wales, a higher proportion of Victorian pharmacists detected 1 or more episodes of buprenorphine diversion in the past year (65% vs. 28%; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) and in the past month (20% vs. 7%; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Detection of buprenorphine diversion was associated with the administration of crushed tablets (odds ratio = 2.77), broken tablets (odds ratio = 2.69), and having more buprenorphine clients (odds ratio = 1.24). Future research investigating the prevalence of buprenorphine diversion should include a clear definition of what behaviors constitute diversion.
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