MCC's Drug Literacy Program:
The complex story of drugs, the church and wellness
Focus 2006: Crystal Meth
This program evolved from the HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry. Many links have been made in the media and in public health between the rise in new HIV infections and the use of drugs, especially crystal meth in U.S. urban gay male and rural heterosexual populations. The mainstream media directs large amounts of attention to the variety of ways that crystal meth is being used in urban gay communities, rural heterosexual populations, and in a range of groups between the two.
MCC's Drug Literacy Social Program develops dialogue on these issue and helps to place the stories of real people in the larger context of information being presented in the media and by public health sources. Our primary goal is to help people from diverse communities talk across the lines of their experiences. With this in mind, we have been holding discussions and workshops around the fellowship of MCC with attendance by people in recovery programs(abstinence, harm reduction, and rational users,too), as well as those still actively using drugs (recreational and addicted users, too), family and friends of the drug users, and people who provide support services to these communities.
Our time together is not intended to be a recovery program or to promote a specific agenda about how or if people use drugs. We build bridges between diverse perspectives and learn from each others experiences.
The response to the program has been great. We are working on creating resources that can help with ongoing education for the communities we visit. We are also looking for volunteers and interested people who would like to learn more and help implement this work as it grows.
Please contact Joshua Love, MCC Program Specialist, for any questions you may have. JoshuaLove@MCCchurch.net
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News Headlines: |
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The trouble with Tina: Experts say crystal meth is worst ‘club drug’ addiction to kick - 2003
For nine years, crystal methamphetamine was a “totally manageable” drug for “Carlos,” a 35-year-old D.C. man who asked to remain anonymous.
His use was limited to the weekends to attain a high that he shared on the dance floor or at small parties with friends. One of his favorite activities was taking a bump of crystal on a Saturday morning, turning up the stereo and cleaning the house.
(180 views)
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Sex, drugs & gay men
Two books examine the impact of barebacking and crystal meth on gays and what can can be done to stop their lethal spread.
(205 views)
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Kicking Crystal
How one HIVer found the courage to escape from meth prison and return to reality
(161 views)
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Meth Madness - The realities of crystal use in the gay community - Phoenix, AZ - Adult Content
In addition to other physical ailments, the risk of HIV infection is particularly great. A joint study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UC San Francisco and the San Francisco Department of Public Health showed that meth users are three times more likely to become infected with HIV than non-meth users. That's because condom use is hit-or-miss when high on crystal.
(113 views)
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