New guidance has been produced to better meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, particularly about club drug use and high-risk sexual behaviours among these groups.
Aimed at clinicians, policy makers and commissioners, the document – “Club Drug Use Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) People” – guides improved service and treatment planning for these populations by bringing about a better understanding of drug use among these groups.
There is increasing evidence that three distinct, areas gay men in particular bear a disproportionate burden of ill-health: sexual health, mental health, and the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
Produced by the NEPTUNE project, the document describes patterns of club drug use among these populations and also looks at the factors that may impact on the use of substances in LGBT populations.
It also discusses drug-related and other harms associated with drug use among these populations, including high-risk sexual behaviours.
NEPTUNE – the Novel Psychoactive Treatment UK Network – was set up to provide guidance on the clinical management for the harmful effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and ‘club drugs’.
NEPTUNE chair and Consultant Psychiatrist at CNWL, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, said: “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people are entitled to quality services provided in a safe and appropriate environment, and to good health and well-being. It is the responsibility of policy makers, commissioners and front-line health staff to meet the needs of these populations and to strive for health equality.”
The document, which has been published on the NEPTUNE website, makes it clear that it should not be used to sensationalise drug taking among the LGBT community or risky sexual behaviours.
While rates of drug use are higher than in the general population, most do not use substances, while among those who do use substances, most do so in ways not linked with significant harm.
The document also talks about the barriers to accessing healthcare with LGBT people less likely than the general population to seek help from health or social care services, or to reveal their sexual identity. It also points to other areas of ill-health where the LGBT population bears a greater burden compared to the wider population such as mental ill-health.
Researcher Dr Dima Abdulrahim from Central and North West London, NHS Foundation Trust, who co-wrote the document, said: “The evidence strongly suggests that harm-reduction measures and treatment interventions must tackle drug use together with sexual health and mental health, the areas where LGBT populations bear a disproportionate burden of ill-health.”
NEPTUNE is funded by the independent charity the Health Foundation.
For details of NEPTUNE, click here:
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