By now the community knows about the dangers of crystal meth use. We’ve linked meth to the current rise in HIV rates, shared heartbreaking tales of lives shattered by what’s been coined the new gay epidemic and even lobbied our elected officials to provide funding for further outreach. The Center has held several community forums and the Gay & Lesbian Times has published numerous editorials on what has become a community call to action. In short, meth has been issue number one.

And we’ve seen action. Just last week, the county launched the “Crystal Mess” campaign, which plastered billboards and bus stops in Hillcrest and North Park with in-your-face images of the gruesome effects of meth use. The Center, Family Health Centers and Stepping Stone of San Diego have created programs and counseling services to help people quit. And knowcrystal.org kicked off last month providing information without judgment for those not quite ready to quit but who hope to someday free themselves from meth addiction.

Yet amidst all this good work, attitudes still have not changed. And our community, in essence, continues to endorse meth use.

Our community celebrated Pride last month by throwing itself a weekend of parties. These parties bring in thousands of out-of-town guests and thousands of dollars. Pride receives a portion of the proceeds that then get reallocated to many of our community organizations, such as The Center, Stepping Stone and Mama’s Kitchen. It’s this relationship between Pride and it’s official Pride parties that raises a few questions.

Let’s call a spade a spade: Crystal meth and other circuit-party drugs are widely used at these parties. No one is sipping Diet Coke to the sounds of circuit DJs at 8:00 a.m.

This statement isn’t meant to demonize party producers, either. There are many legal businesses that cater to potentially destructive elements within our community. The “ick feeling” sets in when we as a community receive money from these events that we then use to support substance abuse and HIV/AIDS services.

Is this marriage between Pride “the event” and Pride “the party” somehow endorsing unhealthy behavior? Does Pride promoting an afterhours party that rages until 8:00 a.m. somehow condone the behaviors taking place at these events? It’s a tough question. It’s a question we here at the GLT are asking ourselves. We too have devoted editorial content to support, condone and push people within our community toward unhealthy behavior.

Why don’t you tell us what you think? Participate in this discussion by writing to the Gay & Lesbian Times. Send letters to editor@uptownpub.com or mail them to P.O. Box 34624, San Diego, 92163. All letters must be less than 500 words and include your full name, address and phone number. However, only your name will be published. The Gay & Lesbian Times publishes all letters to the editor unedited. Letters received that do not contain subject matter pertaining to the Gay & Lesbian Times will be published at the discretion of the editorial department.