May 28, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Confronting Meth Crisis in California’s LGBTQ Communities

Senator Wiener introduces bill to confront meth crisis using contingency management intervention

By Kerry Slater

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill to address the increase in meth usage and overdose deaths, a crisis that has impacted LGBTQ communities, particularly for gay, bi and trans men.

This legislation, SB 888, expands substance use disorder treatment options covered under Medi-Cal, requiring Medi-Cal to pay for contingency management. Contingency management has proven to be the most effective method of treatment for methamphetamine addiction. Contingency management describes the practice of giving those struggling with drug addiction financial rewards if they test clean. There is currently no form of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for meth use, unlike with opioids where treatment options such as methadone are available.

Meth use has spiked all over California and is having an outsized impact on the LGBTQ and black communities. Meth use is on the rise in LGBTQ communities, particularly for gay, bi and trans men, as a party drug known to enhance sexual experiences. The SFDPH also reports that the mortality rate is highest among African American men.

“We need to employ every possible tool to help people recover from this powerful addiction. Contingency management is an effective and essential tool in treating meth addiction – particularly given the lack of effective medical interventions – and we must expand access to it. This is a science-based approach to treating meth addiction, and it’s time for California to embrace it,” Wiener said.

According to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, in one year of the PROP program, 63% of participants stopped using meth entirely and another 19% reduced their use. This approach, coupled with community support meetings, proves time and time again to be an effective method of treating meth addiction. This bill intends to make these programs accessible on a wider scale by authorizing them to be reimbursable by Medi-Cal.

The bill would also require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to issue guidance and training on the use of contingency management programs for Medi-Cal patients.

Related Posts

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

Crustacean Launches ‘Little C’ Vietnamese Pop-Up to Celebrate Chef Helene An’s Legacy

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Three-Day Lunch Series Honors AAPI Heritage Month With Chef’s Personal Recipes Crustacean Beverly Hills will host a limited-run pop-up dining...

Long Beach Pride™ 2025 Celebrates “The Power of Community” with Joy, Visibility, and Unity

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

42nd Annual Waterfront Festival Draws Thousands for a Weekend of Performances Long Beach Pride™ 2025 brought the theme “The Power...

Academy Award Winning Director Sean Baker to Attend Anora Screening in Support of Theater Preservation

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Acclaimed Director Joins Special Event on May 30 to Help Keep Historic South Bay Cinema Open The independent studio Neon,...

Motorcyclist Killed in Westchester Collision with Vehicle Near Centinela

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Crash Prompts Hours-Long Investigation of Crash Site of Violent Accident One person was killed Monday evening when a motorcycle collided...

Brentwood Estate Once Owned by Hollywood A-Listers Finds Buyer in One Week

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The 1929 Mediterranean-Style Home Went Under Contract in Seven Days Celebrity pedigree and classic design helped a 1929 Mediterranean-style estate...

GoWeHo TMO Program to Expand Sustainable Transportation Options

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Program Aims to Reduce Ease Traffic Congestion, Reduce Car Use In an effort to reduce traffic congestion and promote environmentally...

West Hollywood to Celebrate Judy Garland Day with Ribbon Cutting, Tribute Panel

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Event Will Honor the Icon’s Birthday With Special Guests From the Garland Family The City of West Hollywood will commemorate...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Missing West Hollywood Woman Found Safe, According to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Woman Who Was Last Seen on May 19 near Hayworth Avenue Reunited with Family The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department confirmed...

Hollywood Man Sentenced for $65M COVID Tax Scam Tied to Fake Beverly Hills Farm

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

IRS Scam Featuring Fictional Beverly Hills Farm Ends in Prison Term  The Hollywood resident who fabricated a Beverly Hills-based farming...

West Hollywood Releases Transit and Parking Details Ahead of WeHo Pride 2025

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Santa Monica Boulevard to Close for Weekend-Long Celebration May 30–June 1 The City of West Hollywood has released transportation and...

Man Accused of Stalking Jennifer Aniston Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Stalking Suspect Says He’s Fit for Trial After Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a Mississippi man accused of stalking...

The Grove to Host Patriotic Tribute for 250th Anniversary of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps During LA Fleet Week

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Friday’s Celebration Will Feature Flyovers, Live Music, Military Displays, and Family-Friendly Activities The Grove will welcome the United States Navy...

Prosecutors Weigh Hate Crime Charges After Lesbian Woman Beaten at Illinois McDonald’s

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Kady Grass Suffered Serious Injuries in Alleged Anti-LGBTQ+ Assault Authorities in Kane County, Illinois, are considering filing hate crime charges...