TI   "Kneeling at the Crystal Cathedral"
 AU   Sadownick, Doug
 SO   Genre (12/93-01/94) No. 15, P. 41
 AB   Despite an intense campaign to curb the spread of AIDS in the gay
      community, the 90s have seen an increase in promiscuity. Accompanying
      this trend is an increase in drug use, particularly of a refined type
      of speed labeled metamphetamine.  Known on the street as crystal, it
      is inexpensive, long-lasting, and easily accessible, and is quickly
      becoming the drug of choice in gay urban centers.  The appeal of
      crystal, says one user, is the effect of the drug on the libido. 
      "Sex plus crystal equals Nirvana," he says.  But health experts say
      sex plus crystal adds up to addiction, psychosis, and AIDS.  Stephan
      Korsia, executive director of a French AIDS foundation, believes that
      "in addition to injection drug use, stimulant use is also now
      suspected as a high-risk vector for exposure to and transmission of
      HIV."  Sam Minsky, administrative director of a Los Angeles
      outpatient drug treatment center, agrees.  "The drug blurs the
      safer-sex boundaries, big time," he says.  In addition, continues
      Korsia, "There is ample evidence to suggest that crystal accelerates
      premature progression to full-blown AIDS in people dealing with HIV
      infection.  Studies have shown that crystal eats T-cells for
      breakfast, lunch, and dinner."  To complicate matters, renewed
      interest in the multifactorial vein of AIDS theory suggests that
      powerful cofactors such as malnutrition, a history of sexually
      transmitted diseases, or drug abuse increases a person's
      susceptibility to AIDS.  Says Richard Root-Bernstein in his book,
      Rethinking AIDS, "to control AIDS, we may have to learn how to get
      millions of addicts off drugs."

      Copyright (c) 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD.  This
      information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control &
      Prevention (CDC), National AIDS Clearinghouse as a public service. 
      Non-profit reproduction is encouraged.

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