Heated and damaged pipes may lead to injuries to the lips and mouth and when shared these pipes may be a vector for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. Within the context of a broader health promotion and prevention program, pilot testing of safer smoking kits to initiate discussion and education on the risks associated with sharing pipes and unprotected sex for some communities (e.g., homeless/street-involved youth) is worth pursuing.Ĭrystal methamphetamine smoking is associated with many negative health consequences and is linked with transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). ConclusionsĬhanging pipe sharing behaviours may be difficult because many participants considered sharing to be integral to the social experience of smoking crystal methamphetamine.

Demand for harm reduction kits was mixed. Many reported having sex with multiple partners and being less likely to use condoms while on the drug. Heated pipes were unlikely to cause direct injuries, but participants mentioned having dry, cracked lips, which may be a vector for disease transmission. Pipe sharing was widespread among participants and was deemed integral to the social experience of smoking crystal methamphetamine. Participants (n = 32) were asked questions about motivations for crystal methamphetamine use, the process of smoking, health problems experienced, sharing behaviour, risky sexual practices, and the ideal contents of a harm reduction kit. Target groups included homeless/street-involved youth, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and youth in the party scene. Methodsįive focus groups were conducted with crystal methamphetamine smokers recruited by community health agencies and youth shelters in Toronto, Canada. We examined whether or not a kit for crystal methamphetamine smoking might have some potential to reduce the negative health effects of crystal methamphetamine smoking.

Crystal methamphetamine smoking is associated with many negative health consequences, including the potential for transmission of hepatitis.

Meth crackback