![how crack back meth how crack back meth](https://i.redd.it/qwvi2zi8ccu01.jpg)
![how crack back meth how crack back meth](https://i.redd.it/gw6t7926rqjz.jpg)
However, the design of the stem used in crack kits is not ideal for smoking crystal methamphetamine, which liquefies when heated and may be inhaled if smoked with a glass stem, and alternative designs would need to be explored. While the evidence is not definitive, the rationale for this type of intervention holds true for crystal methamphetamine smoking which shares many of the risks associated with smoking crack cocaine.
![how crack back meth how crack back meth](https://www.mlive.com/resizer/GFmS3SPZi-uBnDSQ_LUydJY1PcA=/450x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/HHAQROXXA5BWHMPWJUPY7Z7ZBI.jpg)
However, the evidence regarding safer crack kits as a means of preventing disease transmission is less definitive than it is for needle distribution. Typically, crack smoking kits contain a glass stem, a screen, a push stick and a mouth piece. The equipment distribution model has been transferred to address concerns surrounding crack cocaine smoking. An abundance of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of needle and syringe programs which are considered as an essential component of an HIV prevention program. In terms of harm reduction, transferring the model of safer injection kits is one option and holds some appeal. Like other drug use related problems, options to reduce negative consequences span the four pillars of drug policy from prevention to drug treatment to law enforcement to harm reduction. Greater intensity of methamphetamine use was also positively associated with unprotected sex in a sample of 261 HIV-positive MSM in California. Low rates of condom use (one third of the time during vaginal sex and one quarter of the time during anal sex) in another study lend support to this finding. A study of sexually active adults in California found that non-injection methamphetamine use was inversely associated with condom use, regardless of the type of intercourse. Studies show crystal methamphetamine increases sex drive and can enable longer sexual episodes it also leads to drying of the mucosa, which can cause tears in the genital region and facilitate transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Ĭrystal methamphetamine smoking has also been linked with risky sexual behaviours. Populations most often associated with smoking crystal methamphetamine include homeless/street-involved youth, gay men, sex workers, and youth in the party scene. A systematic review concluded an HCV prevalence ranging from 2.3 to 5.3% among never-injecting drug users represents a serious health concern among this population but the causal mechanism of transmission was unclear. 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. Crystal methamphetamine smoking is associated with many negative health consequences and is linked with transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV).