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Chemsex Epidemic In Thailand

Someone is reaching for a crystal meth pipe next to a bottle of Dalavir, an antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV, before meeting someone for a chemsex encounter at their home in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 24, 2024. Chemsex, the act of consuming chemicals to enhance sexual pleasure, is taking a deadly hold on the LGBTQ community worldwide and is thriving in Thailand's deeply ingrained societal stigmas related to sex and drug use. Even with access to HIV-prevention medication like PReP, chemsex is driving higher rates of HIV transmission, with studies showing that chemsex participants are up to five times more likely to contract HIV compared to those who do not partake. (Photo by Matt Hunt/NurPhoto)

Addiction Bangkok Chemsex Drugs LGBT Meth Methamphetamine Thailand crystal meth pipe Dalavir antiretroviral medication HIV chemsex encounter Bangkok Thailand July 24 2024 LGBTQ community sexual pleasure chemicals societal stigmas sex drug use HIV-prevention PReP transmission studies participants contract HIV higher rates deadly hold worldwide thriving deeply ingrained stigmas access medication Matt Hunt NurPhoto.