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For Immediate Release
July 13, 2004
Contact:
Lynn Schulman, 212.367.1210
GMHC Community Task Force
Responds to the Emergent Increases of Crystal Meth Use and Syphilis
Infections as They Relate to HIV Transmission
NEW YORK, July 13, 2004 — Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)
today announced the findings of its broad-based New York City Task
Force that was formed to develop strategic responses to the growing
epidemic of crystal methamphetamine addiction and its connection
to a recent resurgence of HIV and syphilis infections among gay
men. Included with the findings are public policy recommendations
that are considered critical to developing the most comprehensive
and effective responses to this serious health problem that is
endangering the gay community.
The primary findings of the Task Force are that:
- Crystal meth use represents a clear and immediate health threat
to gay men in New York City, and is beginning to spread to other
populations.
- Emerging evidence suggests that crystal use may be contributing
to an increase in new HIV infections among men who have sex with
men in New York and other cities.
- Crystal meth use is a public health crisis that requires major
public policy changes in order to successfully respond to the
problem.
The Task Force recommendations focus on the need for government
intervention, policy change and funding, in the areas of treatment
and prevention, and the LGBT community's own obligations to mobilize
against crystal meth addiction. The full report may be accessed
from the GMHC Web site at http://www.gmhc.org/policy/nyc/crystaltaskforce04.pdf.
"The GMHC Board of Directors established this Task Force to foster
a coordinated community response that will raise the emerging health
crisis of crystal meth to a level that will attract much needed
attention and actions from our government and elected officials," said
William Floyd, GMHC Board Co-Chair and Co-Chair of the Task Force.
This was an organized effort that utilized the skills and talents
possessed by our community leaders and service organizations to
produce recommendations designed to address the crystal meth crisis
that has entered the gay community and is beginning to spread throughout
New York City.
The Task Force (see attached list for members) convened on March
29, and concluded on July 13. Its recommendations will be sent
to government and elected officials for further action.
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported
and community-based organization committed to national leadership
in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread
of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their
health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and
cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority.
The GMHC Task Force on Crystal, Syphilis
and HIV consisted of the following members: (Task
Force members, alphabetically)
Richard Burns
Executive Director
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
Community Center
Dennis DeLeon
Executive Director
Latino Commission on AIDS
Gary English
Executive Director
People of Color in Crisis, Inc.
Ruth Finkelstein
New York Academy of Medicine
William S. Floyd
Senior Government Affairs Advisor
Law Office of Claudia Wagner
Co-Chair, GMHC Board of Directors
Jeffrey Foote, PhD
Executive Director
Center for Motivation and Change
Perry N. Halkitis, PhD
Assistant Professor & Chair
Department of Applied Psychology
New York University
Co-Director Center for HIV Educational
Studies & Training (CHEST)
Thomas Irwin, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Michael T. Isbell
Public Policy Consultant
Michael T. Isbell Consulting Jay Laudato
Executive Director
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Len McNally
New York Community Trust
Dr. Don McVinney
Harm Reduction Coalition
Ana Oliveira
Executive Director
Gay Men's Health Crisis
Tokes Osubu
Executive Director
Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD)
Jordan Roth
Jordan Roth Productions
Nairobi Shellow
Executive Director
Youth Organizers United
Peter R. Staley
Founder & Editor
AIDSmeds.com
© 2004 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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