Jean E Malpas, MA, Mental Health and Social Services, The lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10024, 212.620.7310 ext 251, jmalpas@gaycenter.org

Grass-root activists and direct services providers are voicing their concerns about the rise of crystal methamphetamines abuse and the potentially alarming effects on STDs/HIV infection rates in gay male urban communities. This workshop describes the programs that a community-based mental health and substance use services agency developed to respond to the issues. These programs encompass two interconnected levels: direct services and community organizing. First, this presentation focuses on the understanding and systemic conceptualization of crystal meth addiction issues. This encompasses the review of narratives and behavioral patterns reported by members of these communities with a particular attention to the following dimensions: community history, sexual behaviors, psychological needs and functions of drug use behaviors in stigmatized and disenfranchised communities. The second part of the presentation is dedicated to the utilization of this cultural competence to implement community-sensitive individual and group substance use services. Participants will review harm reduction strategies, such as assessment, treatment planning and program development tools, that have generated clinically successful outcomes in these communities. Finally, participants will pay attention to the advantages of integrating community organizing and community building strategies with direct mental health and substance use services.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify essential components of community-sensitive harm reduction prevention and intervention programs targeting party drug use
• Perform a culturally competent assessment of the level of harm and the stage of change in gay men abusing crystal methamphetamines
• Implement individual- and group-level Harm Reduction intervention strategies in this community

Keywords: Gay Men, Drug Abuse Treatment

Related Web page: www.gaycenter.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Mental Health and Social Services Department of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan, NYC
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment