Crystal City with Terrence Crawford

In the first episode of Sex, Love, and Addiction LGBTQ, Licensed Therapist and Sex Therapist Dr. David Fawcett welcomes special guest Terrence Crawford. Terrence directed the documentary Crystal City, an amazing piece that portrays a gripping yet hopeful look at the gay community and crystal meth use. Terrence discusses the statistics of crystal meth use in the gay community, explains the resurgence in use and the challenges he had in producing the documentary. Terrence also shares his intention in making the film, and resources where we can watch it and learn more.

TAKEAWAYS:

[1:25] In the Crystal City documentary, we follow the lives of several gay men in New York City as they struggle with crystal meth and recovery. It is a powerful and hopeful story that Terrence can relate to as a recovering crystal meth addict himself.

[3:12] Negative messaging is well intended, but typically serves to shame and stigmatize rather than really help the issue of meth addiction.

[3:58] The number of gay men using crystal meth has tripled since 2010, and use brings risks such as stroke, heart attack, hypertension, overdose and increase of HIV as well as Hepatitis C and other STI's.

[5:52] When the Mexican cartels figured out how to make cheaper and more potent meth, it hit the streets worse than ever before.

[6:58] Terrence would classify meth users into two categories: the meth user that can afford to purchase the drug, and the user that uses their sex appeal to sleep with the person that can afford the drug in order to continue their own use.

[8:49] Crystal meth users can be high functioning and successful members of society, and Crystal City humanizes the users to show it can happen to anyone.

[12:33] There is often shame associated with relapse in the 12 Step Programs, and the community is one of the most potent resources of support and connection.

[14:30] Terrence felt it was an asset for him to have prior experience with crystal meth to understand the subject matter, and to be there for others without judgement while they invited him into their lives.

[24:02] The film shows the history of just how long crystal meth has been around, how powerful it is, and that anyone can fall prey to addiction.

RESOURCES:

Crystal City

Seeking Integrity

Sex and Relationship Healing

National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Group

Fail State

Inside the FBI

Brick City TV

Cleveland International Film Festival

QUOTES:

● "I felt as a filmmaker that it was my responsibility to catalog my own experience and show people that there is an alternative to negative representations to addiction and recovery."

● "It's a community that deserves support and not condemnation."

● "The way to healing is a bond and connection with other people."