ssh-chemsex-study-final-main-report

homes of strangers, and were re-assured by the presence
of staff, although recognised that some discretion around
drug use was still required.
“ But to go back to what we are saying earlier about
people meeting on [*app name] and then going off to
somebody’s apartment somewhere, you really don’t
know if that person is a psycho, if that person is going
to rob you whereas if you are actually in a sauna, you
are surrounded by people, there are cameras. There is
a certain personal safeness about that I think.
[Aged 50, last tested HIV
”
negative]
While some men reported being searched on entry to
a sauna, these searches were considered less common
and less “forensic” than on entry into clubs. Also, many
participants reported that drugs were readily available in
the saunas, both free from potential sexual partners and
for sale from dealers.
4.6 THE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT OF CHEMSEX
During the interview, participants were asked to reflect
on the role and prevalence of drugs on the gay scene in
London, and the reasons why they believed some gay
men chose to use drugs during sex. Estimates of drug
prevalence differed wildly, with many men believing it to
be ubiquitous and an ever present component of gay life.
“ What’s your perception of drug use among gay men in
London more generally?
Rampant. It’s just everywhere. I mean, even if you go
to – you think – no, it’s everywhere. I mean I can’t think
of anywhere I’ve not seen drugs being taken Yeah,
that’s the reality. ”
[Aged 31, last tested HIV negative]
Some men suggested that upwards of 80 or 90% of gay
men in London used drugs on a regular basis (which
seems unlikely given the data presented in chapter 3.4)
and reported seeing it across the demographic spectrum
of gay men and in every imaginable social setting. While
some recognised that there must be some gay men
who do not use drugs, most men felt that drug use was
entirely normal in all aspects of the gay scene. It is, of
course, important to bear in mind that these men were
specifically recruited because they use drugs and will
likely have a different perception than those who do not.
A perception of normality was a problem for men who
had become concerned about their drug use (explored
further in chapter 8) and who were trying to avoid
temptation.
“ How normal it is to take drugs in London in the gay
community?
Extremely common, I think one of the big things which
scares me at the moment is that I almost have this fear
of how I am going to meet people who actually don’t.
Because I mean the big thing for me is having to stay
away from the drugs and people. ”
[Aged 24, last tested HIV negative]
Nearly everyone agreed that mephedrone and, to a
lesser extent, GHB/GBL had displaced ecstasy and
cocaine as the principal drugs of choice among gay
men, a perception reinforced in community and clinical
service provider discussions. Crystal meth use, although
relatively common among men in this sample, was
perceived to be somewhat lower among gay men more
generally. It was commonly associated with men who
are HIV positive and with men who seek out condomless
sex. While the majority felt that drug use was the norm
for all gay men, a small number recognised that their
perception may be heavily influenced by their own social
circle and a choice to spend time with other men that use
drugs (for a variety of purposes).
“ It’s not very many people, I’d say overall I guess, I
don’t know because you only ever see the people who
go out and you only see the people who are high or
whatever. So I suppose overall it’s quite a small amount
but it’s a significant number of people [...] I don’t know,
a few hundred to a thousand maybe.
[Aged 23, last tested
”
HIV negative]
While some recognised that drug use did occur in other
locations, the vast majority felt that chemsex was highest
in South London. Men talked about Vauxhall being
The Chemsex Study | 4. THE CONTEXT OF CHEMSEX 38