Binge drug-taking in London's gay party scene is fuelling a surge in HIV infections, according to an article in the Lancet medical journal.
Figures show a rise of 21% in HIV infections among men who have sex with men in London between 2011 and 2012. Numbers have risen from 1,420 to 1,720. That is against a drop in the rest of the country of 4%.
But, say the authors, Tony Kirby and Michelle Thornber-Dunwell, the percentage increase in the capital may be greater still, because Public Health England which collects the figures adjusts them later – and the 2011 figure has recently risen from 1,296 to 1,420.
The authors attribute the steep rise in HIV in the gay community to risk-taking behaviour at drug-taking parties.
In an earlier report, they described the use of crystal meth "at post-club parties known as chill-outs where drug-taking continues until drugs, money, energy, or all three run out". They added: "There are also many sex parties where MSM [men who have sex with men] congregate at homes for group sex."
Participants have multiple partners, sometimes over several days, and do not use condoms, say the authors. Needles are often shared. They add that those drug clinics that are available are "oversubscribed and struggling to cope".