Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust commented on the reclassification of crystal meth:

“The reclassification of Crystal Meth is a pragmatic move and brings it in line with other drugs of this nature. Experiences from other parts of the World show us that Crystal Meth can have a detrimental effect on communities as well as the lives of individuals.  This decision increases the powers and resources available to the police and enables them to do more to tackle Crystal Meth use in the UK.  However, reclassification needs to come hand in hand with funding for education and effective treatment services.”   Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion, Terrence Higgins Trust.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2005 showed that fewer than 3% of gay men had used crystal meth in the previous 12 months and just 0.3% of men used crystal once or more a week.
• In London, just over 6% of gay men had used crystal in the previous year, and the vast majority of men who had used crystal had done so less than once a month.
• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.