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Global
The use of drugs during sex is a growing worldwide phenomenon among men who have sex with men (MSM). Mainline has built a unique track record while working in the frontline of the Dutch 'chemsex' scene. Now, we also apply this expertise in an international context. The best place to start? Our chemsex e-learning.
Mainline has been providing support to MSM who engage in chemsex since 2016. Our Dutch expertise is also requested internationally to support local/country organizations in the development and implementation of harm reduction interventions around (problematic) chemsex. In addition, we regularly share our expertise during national and international expert panels, chemsex events and conferences.
Despite some similarities, it is clear that global chemsex scenes differ from the Dutch scene. Men from other parts of the world may use different substances and different ways of administering them, as well as different ways of engaging in chemsex.
Naturally, this means that a country-specific harm reduction approach is necessary. Our expertise from working on the grassroots level has informed our development of effective harm reduction interventions for men who engage in chemsex.
Crystal meth is a powerful stimulant that is commonly used during chemsex. Very often in combination with other substances. Chemsex is perceived as hotter and kinkier, as it gives an intense euphoria, boundaries are shifted, and orgasms are delayed. Men contact other men on dating apps and websites looking for Party and Play (PnP), High Fun, and high and horny (HnH). A large group of MSM use drugs consciously. However, a growing group face social, physical and mental health problems due to uncontrolled use.
Chemsex-e-learning
Mainline is now sharing its expertise on chemsex through informative and interactive e-learning programmes. Our e-learning packages are aimed towards health professionals working directly (or indirectly) with men who have sex with men engaged in chemsex across the globe.
It consists of two parts. Part one increases the participants’ understanding of chemsex, substances, the context and related issues. We are currently working on a second part and expect to release this new addition in April 2021.Part I and Part II (coming soon!) of our e-learning can be offered separately or in a complete package. The e-learnings can also be combined with with face-to-face training, also offered by Mainline.
More info on chemsex in the Netherlands
Talk to a chemsex expert about Mainline’s international work. Contact: Sjef Pelsser via s.pelsser@mainline.nl.
For chemsex trainings in your country, contact: Simon Williams via s.williams@mainline.nl
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Egypt, Kenya, Marocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Mainline is a partner in the Love Alliance programme. The Love Alliance brings together organisations led by communities most affected by HIV and AIDS.
Kenya
Women who use drugs in Kenya face violence every day. At home. On the streets. By the police. In their communities. A unique study - conducted in Mombasa, Kenya - sheds light on the tough realities these women encounter. Urgent action is needed now.
South Africa
Women Who Use Drugs face additional problems compared to their male counterparts. The harm reduction field far too often neglects the needs of women. To some extent, the same is true for peer workers: incredibly valuable staff in any impactful service. How can local services make sure that peer workers are valued, supported and living up to their full potential?
United Kingdom, Finland, Greece, Estonia, Serbia, Portugal, the Netherlands
Harm reduction approaches are rarely applied in a recreational sports setting. And why would we - sport equals health, right? Not always. Research shows that the use of performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) is quite common in various recreational sport scenes. And for those people who use frequently and in high doses, harm reduction can make a big difference.
Kenya, South Africa
Young people use drugs - including minors. It's an inconvenient truth: societies usually seek to prevent young people from damaging their health and there is a big taboo on drug use among young kids. But are stigma, legislation or moral judgement keeping young people away from harm reduction services? This project aims to find and improve access to services.
Global
The use of drugs during sex is a growing worldwide phenomenon among men who have sex with men (MSM). Mainline has built a unique track record while working in the frontline of the Dutch 'chemsex' scene. Now, we also apply this expertise in an international context. The best place to start? Our chemsex e-learning.
Iran
Iran is renowned for its harm reduction programme. It was one of the first countries in this geographical region to adopt a harm reduction approach. Government supports and funds the programme. But the drug scene in Iran has changed over the past 20 years. More people are using stimulant drugs and, due to economic circumstances, more people who use drugs have become homeless. Mainline sets out to see whether the current programme in Tehran still fits the needs of the local people who use drugs.
Indonesia
Prisons in Indonesia are often overcrowded and health services are limited. Is quality prison health too expensive? Not according to findings from Atma Jaya University, who applied the method of 'economic modelling' to prison health services, including drug dependency programmes. The findings feed important advocacy messages to improve the prison system in 2021.
Vietnam
October 2019 marked the start of a cutting edge new initiative. With the support of Open Society Foundation, Mainline and SCDI in Vietnam are building expertise to support people who use stimulant drugs. The core motivation to do so is the sharp rise in the use of crystal meth in the South Asian region and the lack of a coordinated harm reduction response.
South Africa
Together with activists and peer- and outreach workers in South Africa, Mainline worked on a practical guide about involving peers in harm reduction work.
A MAINLINE-GIZ STUDY
With the support of the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD), a project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a team of three Mainline researchers conducted a study into effective harm reduction interventions for stimulant users. The study includes a review of the evidence for different harm reduction strategies for stimulants and a detailed description of seven good practices in different world regions.
Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania and Vietnam
The Bridging the Gaps programme started its second phase in January 2016 and continued until the end of 2020. The shared goal of the Bridging the Gaps alliance: to improve the health and rights of people who use drugs, sex workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
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