Drug users prone to HIV, STIs, study reveals

Study of cross section of methamphetamine users found 71.7% engaged in sex work

KARACHI:

The use of sexualized drugs has badly impacts its users with mental illness and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The first ever study conducted in major cities of the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi titled ‘The Hidden Crisis’ revealed that 71.7% of users of methamphetamine, commonly known by its street names like crystal, meth and ice, have been found engaged in sex work that ultimately spreads STIs.

Sharing the details of the study conducted by Dareecha and Dostan, two non-governmental organizations, Raza Haider said that: “ice drug is easily available in the market. It’s not expensive and accessible to all people.”

Haider said that the study also indicated that the users had mental health issues. “Methamphetamine or meth negatively affects the mental health of 70.4% of its users. Their family life is disturbed and some of them also lost their jobs.”

The report also revealed that 54.1% of users of the drug wanted to stop. “Only 17% wanted to continue it because of the efficiency they believed the drug stimulates,” he shared the findings.

Almost 35% of respondents said during the study that they were raped or sexually assaulted after its use. It also revealed that 74% of users lost their physical health, including weight loss. “Almost 66% of users were HIV positive and 16.2% were on treatment [for HIV],” Raheem Khan, another researcher said.

Sharing the details, Khan said that the risk of sexual violence was higher as it blurred the lines of consent. He said that the chemsex also led a variety of negative social and economic impacts. “Many users want to stop the practicing the chemsex but are unable to because of a lack of the support,” he added.

The lead researcher Dr Nida Kirmani said that to ban [the drug] was not the solution. “It will go underground and will surface with some unsafe practices,” she explained. She said that the bevahior towards such people, including transgenders, need to be understood.

“There is no space for transgenders in mental health rehabilitation facilities even if someone willingly wants to stop it,” a participant of the meeting highlighted. “Hate the drugs not its users,” she added.

The participants of the meeting urged the government to create awareness amongst the key population of the major cities.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2022.