Gaining against crystal.

Stories about crystal math dominated the news in 2005, as abuse of the drug was described as a "growing nationwide epidemic," particularly among gay men. But activists and lawmakers in San Francisco say their city is bucking that trend.

On November 3 the Stop AIDS Project reported a dramatic decline in meth use among San Francisco's gay and bisexual men. "By opening a community dialogue and putting forth honest campaigns, the norm of crystal use that peaked two years ago is changing," said gay San Francisco city supervisor Bevan Dufty. "We've tried to come forward in an open and honest way to relate the stories of people who've been in the grip of meth addiction. I would say these results are an incentive to do more."

According to Stop AIDS surveys conducted in late 2003 and analyzed by the city health department, 18% of gay and bisexual men in San Francisco reported that they had used crystal math in the previous six months In the first half of 2005, just 10% of respondents had reported using meth in the prior six months. Jason Riggs, communications director for Stop AIDS, said local advertising and awareness campaigns showing the devastating effects of meth use have been working. "This is a drug that's thrown many people into crisis, and they need to know there are compassionate people, who understand the challenges, leading successful treatments to help them get clean," he said.