D.A.P. Encourages White Party Attendees to Play Safe

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – April 15, 2008)

As White Party ’08 rolls back into town this weekend, reestablishing its status as the granddaddy of all gay circuit parties, Desert AIDS Project will be there to encourage participants to play safely and responsibly. Accordingly, D.A.P. will be distributing safe sex kits containing condoms and lubricant from the welcome center in the lobby of the Wyndham Palm Springs, the host hotel for White Party ’08, and at bars, clubs, and resorts likely to be frequented by White Party-goers throughout the weekend.

“Methamphetamine use as a party drug has become a huge problem and use by the gay population is, unfortunately, no exception,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “Since ‘meth’ lowers sexual inhibitions, we want to reinforce that contracting HIV or STDs, like syphilis, can be the result of just one unprotected experience. We’re happy to see that the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) has recently unveiled a new media campaign to fight methamphetamine use among the populations of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.”

The $11 million “Me Not Meth” campaign includes TV, outdoor, and print ads designed to curb use of the drug by highlighting personal losses. The print and outdoor ads are featured on billboards and buses in California’s largest cities, G/B/MSM-focused print publications, health clubs, and in bars and nightclubs.

The overall goal of the campaign is to encourage discontinued use and motivate individuals to seek help. A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that methamphetamine use was more common in men infected with HIV. The survey indicates that the odds for becoming infected with HIV double or triple for MSMs who use methamphetamine compared to those who do not.

As a part of the California Methamphetamine Initiative (CMI,) the “Me Not Meth” campaign includes community outreach, educational materials, and funding for prevention programs. To increase awareness of the campaign’s message, mobile billboards will be driven around venues in Palm Springs likely to be frequented by White Party-goers.

“D.A.P.’s message is not about being judgmental. It’s about being smart and responsible for yourself and your sexual partners,” said Brinkman. “We hope that everyone at White Party has a great time and goes home as healthy as when they arrive.”

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information, call 760-323-2118.