"Cape Town is the epicentre of two significant public health epidemics - methamphetamine abuse and increasing HIV incidence," Charles Parry, director of the MRC's alcohol and drug abuse research unit, said on Monday. (Amazing that neither FAS nor XDR-TB get a mention!)"There is a greater risk of methamphetamine users contracting and spreading HIV than other drug users." (From IOL)
Methamphetamine, more commonly known as tik, is a cheap, highly addictive, and long-acting stimulant widely known to heighten libido. It has been linked to an increase in risky sexual behaviour.
There were more than 120 000 methamphetamine users in Cape Town, Parry said. He estimated that for every one tik user receiving treatment in Cape Town, there were 100 who were not.
"It is outrageous that the health sector has not become more involved in addressing drug issues and that the Department of Health plays second fiddle to the Department of Social Development in the treatment of substance abuse."(Is it more outrageous that the Department of Health is responsible for all drugs EXCEPT alcohol which is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry?)
"The issue should be combined between the two departments to prevent people falling through the cracks. It is a health problem with social consequences and causes." (Best to create a massive crack between two departments for the issue to fall into with no one taking responsibility)
Tik users are more likely to have sex while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and also more likely to have sex at a younger age. Tik users are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and to trade sex for drugs.
Methamphetamine, more commonly known as tik, is a cheap, highly addictive, and long-acting stimulant widely known to heighten libido. It has been linked to an increase in risky sexual behaviour.
There were more than 120 000 methamphetamine users in Cape Town, Parry said. He estimated that for every one tik user receiving treatment in Cape Town, there were 100 who were not.
"It is outrageous that the health sector has not become more involved in addressing drug issues and that the Department of Health plays second fiddle to the Department of Social Development in the treatment of substance abuse."(Is it more outrageous that the Department of Health is responsible for all drugs EXCEPT alcohol which is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry?)
"The issue should be combined between the two departments to prevent people falling through the cracks. It is a health problem with social consequences and causes." (Best to create a massive crack between two departments for the issue to fall into with no one taking responsibility)
Tik users are more likely to have sex while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and also more likely to have sex at a younger age. Tik users are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and to trade sex for drugs.
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