Script for ÒCrystal
Methamphetamine and HIV: The Connection.Ó
Hi, my name is
[PRESENTER NAME]. IÕm [PRESENTER ROLE]. Welcome to ÒCrystal Methamphetamine and
HIV: The Connection.Ó This video will discuss the history of crystal
methamphetamine and its impact on the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Crystal
methamphetamine, also known as tina, crank, tweak, ice, speed, and glass,[1]
among other names, has burst on to the HIV/AIDS scene in recent years.
Crystal
methamphetamine was first developed in Germany in 1887.[2]
It was in Japan by 1919, and it was used in the United States to keep people
awake and reduce their appetite by 1930. It was legal for many years, and it was
even used to treat depression in the 1960s, but it became illegal in the United
States in 1970. Motorcycle riders used to smuggle it in the ÒcrankÓ case of
their motorcycle, so it got the slang name crank in English.
Over the last twenty
years, truckers, students, housewives, businessmen and businesswomen, young
junior high and high school girls, gay men, and more recently, South African
communities have been using crystal methamphetamine for a variety of reasons. Some
people use it to stay awake on long truck rides. Others use it to study all
night for exams, stay slim, or for sex.This drug has spread into all cultures and
age groups and both genders. It is estimated that 12 million Americans have
tried crystal,[3] that there
are 1.5 million regular users in the U.S., and that the number of regular users
is growing daily. All 50 states have reported finding labs for making crystal
methamphetamine.
No population has
seen more damage from this drug than gay men. Because crystal methamphetamine
initially heightens sexual response, gay men have been using it for quite a
while. It has only been recently that researchers have seen the connection
between crystal methamphetamine and an increase in HIV/AIDS cases. A recent
study in California showed that one in four occasional crystal methamphetamine users
and four in ten chronic users were HIV positive.[4]
In one residential drug treatment center for gay men, more than 17 out of every
20 people in recovery were infected with HIV.[5]
So, why are people
attractied to crystal methamphetamine? It stimulates the release of a chemical
in the brain called dopamine.[6] Dopamine is
responsible for the physical Òfeel goodÓ sensation we get with sex, sleep,
eating, and mood. Basically, it is our internal ÒrewardÓ mechanism. People on
crystal methamphetamine fell more self-confident and able and initially have an
increased sex drive. Unfortunately, crystal methamphetamine also causes the
addictions that have destroyed many peopleÕs lives.
In the gay
community, Internet sex sites, crystal methamphetamine, and medications like
Viagra are combining to spread HIV. With the popularity the Internet and the
discovery of Viagra and medications like it, crystal methamphetamine has only
added fuel to an already burning blaze. People can now easily find sex partners
using the Internet and can stay awake for days on crystal methamphetamine. Adding
Viagra or medications like it creates a scenario where there is often very
aggressive and long lasting sex, usually unprotected[7]
because the crystal methamphetamine reduces the sense of responsibility. The
result has been an increase in HIV transmission among gay men.
The heterosexual
crystal methamphetamine community has not been studied as much with regards to
HIV/AIDS transmission, but common sense tells us that anytime you have a
decrease the sense of responsibility and increase sexual desire, the risk of
HIV transmission will probably be increased.
The negative effects
of crystal methamphetamine are devastating and often irreversible. They are
usually visibly obvious. Here are a few pictures of individuals who have chosen
crystal methamphetamine over their health, their career, and their physical
appearance.[8]
These photographs are mug shots of people who were repeatedly arrested for
methamphetamine possession. By looking at the before and after photographs, you
can see the effects of using methamphetamine such as the development of sores
on the skin and the face. Crystal methamphetamine causes skin infections by a
bacterium called MRSA, which is often resistant to most antibiotics. When these
infections develop, the methamphetamine user often compulsively picks at them,
which worsens and spreads the infection and can lead to permanent scarring.
Other obvious
physical changes include an extreme thinness in the face. Methamphetamine reduces
the appetite, so users usually lose weight, often to a very unhealthy extent.
It also causes the appearance of accelerated aging. If you are currently using
methamphetamine or thinking about it, look at these photographs and ask
yourself: do you want to wind up looking like this?
The destruction
crystal methamphetamine causes of the teeth can be both unhealthy and downright
ugly. Look at these photographs of the mouths of people who have developed a
condition known as Òmeth mouthÓ as a result of using of crystal
methamphetamine.[9] When people
use crystal methamphetamine, their teeth can rot away to the gum line[10]
as illustrated by these photographs. Several things cause this result.[11]
First, methamphetamine reduces saliva production, which can cause oral bacteria
to increase up to ten times over normal levels. Second, methamphetamine users
often drink sugary sodas to try to counteract their dry mouth, which feeds the
bacteria and contributes to further tooth decay. Third, methamphetamine users
often fail to brush their teeth regularly and practice good oral hygiene. Fourth,
they often compulsively and uncontrollably grind their teeth while using
crystal, which causes the teeth to crack. Finally, they may develop severe gum
disease as a result of decreased blood flow to the gums caused by crystal. Do
you want your teeth to wind up looking like this?
Methamphetamine also
causes damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, heart, and bones. The effect on the
brain is the most significant with regards to ability deal with life stress and
maintain healthy relationships. Crystal methamphetamine causes irritability,
insomnia, aggression, paranoia, depression and psychosis.
So if you are
currently using crystal methamphetamine or thinking about it, ask yourself:
ÒGiven all the risks and complications, is it worth it?Ó If you are using
crystal methamphetamine, please tell your doctor and consider entering a
treatment program.
No matter who you
are, you are a valuable individual, and your life matters as do the lives of
those in your community. Take care of yourself and those around you. Make
healthy choices that eliminate or reduce your risk of contracting HIV.
This is [PRESENTER
NAME].
----------------------
[ STOP TRANSLATING HERE ] ----------------------------------
Script by Becky Kuhn, M.D. of Global Lifeworks.
This script was reviewed for accuracy and
approved by Becky Kuhn, M.D. on July 30, 2011.
References:
1) David R.
Bangsberg, M.D., M.P.H. "Adherence, Viral Suppression, and Resistance to
Antiretroviral Therapy." In
Crystal Methamphetamine: A symposium for internists, primary care, and family
physicians, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals involved in
treating patients with addictions. 23 June 2006. Office of Continuing Medical
Education, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
2) Michael Campos, Ph.D. and Steven Shoptaw, Ph.D. "Evidence-Based
Treatments for Methamphetamine Abuse." In Crystal Methamphetamine: A
symposium for internists, primary care, and family physicians, psychiatrists,
and other healthcare professionals involved in treating patients with
addictions. 23 June 2006. Office of Continuing Medical Education, Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ÒMethamphetamine Use and Risk
for HIV/AIDS,Ó January 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/meth.htm
Accessed 30 July 2011.
4) Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, ÒMethamphetamine Use and HIV Risk Behaviors
Among Heterosexual Men --- Preliminary Results from Five Northern California
Counties, December 2001--November 2003,Ó 17 March 2006 Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report Weekly, 55(10);273-277. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5510a2.htm?s_cid=mm5510a2_e
5) Grant Colfax, M.D. and Steven Shoptaw, Ph.D. "The Methamphetamine
Epidemic: Implications for HIV Prevention and Treatment." In Crystal Methamphetamine: A symposium
for internists, primary care, and family physicians, psychiatrists, and other
healthcare professionals involved in treating patients with addictions. 23 June
2006. Office of Continuing Medical Education, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los
Angeles, CA 90048.
6) Multnomah County
SheriffÕs Office, Portland, Oregon, http://www.facesofmeth.us/
7) "Meth Mouth." METH Awareness and Prevention Project of South
Dakota, http://www.mappsd.org/Meth%20Mouth.htm
8) "Meth
Mouth" photos courtesy Brett H. Kessler, DDS.
9) Steven Shoptaw
and Cathy J. Reback. "Associations between Methamphetamine Use
and HIV among Men
Who Have Sex with Men: A Model for Guiding Public Policy." Journal of
Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine
doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9119-5
NOTES TO
TRANSLATORS:
1) "Crystal
methamphetamine, also known as tina, crank, tweak, ice, speed, and glass, among
other names, has burst on to the HIV/AIDS scene in recent years." Find out what the standard
term in your language is for crystal methamphetamine and use that term
consistently throughout the translation. If you can identify "slang"
terms for crystal methamphetamine in your language, include those terms from
your own language after "also known as." If you can't identify any
slang terms for crystal methamphetamine, delete the phrase ", also known
as tina, crank, tweak, ice, speed, and glass, among other names, " from
your translation.
2) If
"crank" (or a translation or equivalent of "crank") is used
as a slang term for crystal methamphetamine in your language, include the
sentence "Motorcycle riders used to smuggle it in the ÒcrankÓ case of
their motorcycle, so it got the slang name crank in English." Otherwise
delete this sentence from your translation.
[1] Grant Colfax, M.D. and Steven Shoptaw, Ph.D. "The Methamphetamine Epidemic: Implications for HIV Prevention and Treatment." In Crystal Methamphetamine: A symposium for internists, primary care, and family physicians, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals involved in treating patients with addictions. 23 June 2006. Office of Continuing Medical Education, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
[2] Colfax and Shoptaw, 2006.
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ÒMethamphetamine Use and Risk for HIV/AIDS,Ó January 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/meth.htm Accessed 30 July 2011.
[4] Steven Shoptaw and Cathy J. Reback. "Associations
between Methamphetamine Use
and HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Model for Guiding Public Policy." Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9119-5
[5] Shoptaw and Reback. doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9119-5
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ÒMethamphetamine Use and Risk for HIV/AIDS,Ó January 2007.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ÒMethamphetamine Use and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Heterosexual Men --- Preliminary Results from Five Northern California Counties, December 2001--November 2003,Ó 17 March 2006 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Weekly, 55(10);273-277. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5510a2.htm?s_cid=mm5510a2_e
[8] Multnomah County SheriffÕs Office, Portland, Oregon, http://www.facesofmeth.us/
[9] Meth mouth photos courtesy Brett H. Kessler, DDS.
[10] "Meth Mouth." METH Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota. http://www.mappsd.org/Meth%20Mouth.htm. Accessed 30 July 2011.
[11] METH Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota, 2011.