FLUX – Following Lives Undergoing Change Drug using behaviours and beliefs, and associated harms, among gay and bisexual men

Background: In the recent National Drug Strategy Household Survey, about one in seven adult Australian men report recent use of illicit drugs, compared with 33.8% of homosexual/bisexual respondents; recent meth/amphetamines use, specifically, was 7.1% among homosexual/bisexual respondents v. 1.9% among heterosexual respondents. These rates were higher than any other population group and are consistent with other data. Studies of harms associated with drug use among GBM have usually focussed on sexual risk behaviour and subsequent HIV infection; dependence and overdose are explored less often, although, high rates of have nonetheless been reported. The Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS), under the leadership of CI Prestage, are the basis of Australia’s behavioural surveillance among gay men: Over half of GCPS respondents report recent illicit drug use. GBM constitute about 2% of the adult male population but are over-represented in studies of drug-using populations.