Just out., October 17, 2003, Page 28, Image 28

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Continued from Page 2
“We started the liKal chapter
of Crystal Meth Anon a year ago
in July,” says Ron Huxold, a gay
hairdresser and founder of Port-
land’s first 12-step program aimed
at meth users. “After one month,
it was ttx> much for the apartment
we were meeting in. Now there’s a
Monday meeting that draws 15 or
20 people a week and a Thursday
meeting that draws 75 or 100.”
Philip Knowlton, coordinator
of the Men’s Prevention and
Wellness Program at Cascade
A ID S Project, says: “There’s
always been a meth problem here.
It’s just that now it’s the gay thing
to do. I have the glorious job of
clearing out the needle containers
in |a local adult sex establishment)
and they are full every week.”
“Meth and heroin are neck
and neck for No. 1 and No. 2,"
says Cathy Mixinshine, director of
Adult Services at IX’ Paul Treat­
ment Center. “ It’s definitely a
shift. Five or eight years ago it was
ciKaine and alcohol.”
women j»ct involved as
it’s the same sexual hit.
Lawson knows. Shi
user herself.
“Speed was a real ru
says. “I hated sleeping,
staying up and getting r
Lawson shakes her
head, remembering.
“ I’ve been in recovery
for over 25 years."
Though statistics
for meth use among
the Portland-area sex­
ual minorities com ­
munity do not exist,
figures for our neigh­
boring big cities are
available. The San
Francisco Chronicle,
A .‘ A iV »l S
for example, reported
recently that health
S fc sr*
officials estimate up to
V * i V . * t * t «V:
40 percent of that
city’s queers have
tried meth at least once. And Seattle health
officials call meth use within the Emerald
aws regarding meth have been
City’s gay crowd “an epidemic.”
in the federal arena since the
Among the general Portland population,
passage of the Comprehensive
meth is the city’s biggest drug problem.
Internet chat rooms are a common way gay men connect with others who want to “ party and play,” in which an
Methamphetamine Control Act
“We’ve definitely seen the crossover from extended high often leads to risky sex with multiple partners. Staff and volunteers from Cascade A ID S Project
of 1996. Possession of meth is a
cocaine to meth,” says Schoher. “It’s not like now hang out online to answer questions and provide information,
Class C felony, and sale or manu­
it’s a flood, but it’s a steady rise.”
ly abused controlled substances in Oregon. Ore­ facture of meth is a Class B felony.
Police bureau statistics from 2000 show 66
the city limits, such as Washington County. And
As for sentencing, Schobcr says, “That’s
gon
is a source of a growing number of clandes­
meth lab busts that year in Portland alone— an
in 2002, federal dmg enforcement seized nearly
something the [district attorney] decides on a
tine methamphetamine laboratories,” states the
amazing statistic considering the majority of 82 pounds of meth in Oregon alone,
case-by-case basis.” The general guideline is
U.S.
Department
of
Drug
Enforcement.
meth labs are found in more rural areas outside
"Methamphetamine is one of the most wide-
When I use, it ’s all
about getting laid.
I lower my standards.
I get on cbat lines and
beg lor things I don 't
like to admit w ilt's
a side of me that only
comesoutwben
I 'm high. ’’
-wade
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