© 2003 BY THE JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 0022-0426/03/02 413-432 A N E XPLORATORY S TUDY OF C ONTEXTUAL AND S ITUATIONAL FACTORS RELATED TO METHAMPHETAMINE USE AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN IN NEW YORK CITY PERRY N. HALKITIS, JEFFREY T. PARSONS, LEO WILTON This exploratory investigation describes methamphetamine use among a convenience sample of gay and bisexual men in New York City. A total of 49 participants reported using methamphetamine, on average, 12 days over the past three months, and 63.1% of the participants reported use with the majority of their sexual encounters. Poly-substance use was high in this sample of methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine use was more frequent among those men who reported using the drug in bathhouses and bars, and frequency of use was associated with a need to escape unpleasant emotions and physical discomfort, avoid social conflict, and enjoy pleasant times with others. The data suggest a contextual understanding of methamphetamine use in New York City that is similar to that of gay communities of the western United States. INTRODUCTION In the last ten years, methamphetamine, colloquially known as “Tina,” “crystal,” “chandelier,” and “ice,” has become increasingly popular in specific segments of the gay community (Beltran, Ostrow, & Joseph, 1993; Freese, Obert, Dickow, Cohen, & Lord, 2000; Halkitis, Parsons, & Stirratt, 2001; Rawson, Gonzales, & Brethen, 2002; Semple, Patterson, & Grant, 2002). Methamphetamine use has recently emerged among gay and bisexual men in New York City (Guss, 2000; Halkitis et al., 2001; Rawson et al., 2002), and the contexts of use may be different from those __________ Perry N. Halkitis, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of applied psychology at New York University. Jeffrey T. Parsons, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology at Hunter College, City University of New York. Leo Wilton, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of human development and Africana studies at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Dr. Halkitis and Dr. Parsons are codirectors of the Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training. Correspondence should be adressed to Dr. Halkitis at New York University, Department of Applied Psychology, 239 Green Street, New York, NY 10003. E-mail: pnh1@nyu.edu