County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Division of HIV and STD Programs
600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, 10^th Fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. M - F
Phone: (213) 351-8000
Fax: (213) 738-0825
Email: aids@ph.lacounty.org

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What is the County of Los Angeles doing? 

Treatment for MSM

Treatment funds are to enhance treatment services for populations at risk for methamphetamine use.  Targeted populations are young women and men who have sex with men.  Although funded service providers are located in the Third Los Angeles County Supervisorial District, services are available to residents Countywide.

Research on methamphetamine addiction treatment service needs in Los Angeles County shows a particular need for residential gay-specific treatment slots.  Similarly, few treatment services exist to address the specific needs of young women, especially women of color, who are at particularly high risk for methamphetamine addiction problems.

Research conducted by Drs. Shoptaw and Reback indicate as the level of methamphetamine use increases among gay male users, HIV prevalence rates also increase. This “time-to-event” association shows that the more frequently and consistently gay men report using methamphetamine, the more likely they will also report being HIV infected.  This research has helped guide OAPP’s investment for HIV negative methamphetamine using MSM.  Evidence also shows that interventions that reduce methamphetamine use also reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among treatment-seeking gay men thereby reducing their risk for contracting and transmitting HIV. 

OAPP treatment providers are providing services for HIV negative methamphetamine using MSM.  OAPP is working closely with these agencies to ensure a comprehensive, individualized system of care is being implemented to reach each client at their specific level of need.  This includes the consistent use of screening tools and criteria for enrollment by each site, increasing data completeness in client records to document effectiveness of services and increasing the availability of skilled mental health clinicians to conduct comprehensive assessments and implement individualized and comprehensive treatment plans.  To help further improve services, trainings on evidence-based strategies have been conducted, the hiring of mental health practitioners to improve staff capacity was completed, and funding has been allocated for psychotropic medication to address the gap in mental health services.

If you would like more information on OAPP's efforts on methamphetamine specific treatment services for MSM or transgenders, please contact Jenell Ross at jenross@ph.lacounty.gov or call (213) 351-1171