Tina and slamming - MSM, crystal methamphetamine and IV drug use in a sexual setting

By Leon Knoops, Ingrid Bakker, Renate van Bodegom, Paul Zantkuijl

A major European study conducted by EMIS in 2010 among MSM revealed that the Netherlands tops the list for substance use. The rate of substance use among MSM before or during sex is higher than in the general population. The use of chemical substances during sex is called ‘chemsex’. In the European Drug Report 2014, the European drug monitoring agency EMCDDA noted an increase in chemsex in Europe within some sub-groups of MSM. According to the EMCDDA, ‘close monitoring of the issue is a public health priority’.

This report describes two relatively new trends regarding chemsex in the Netherlands: the use of crystal meth (tina) and the practice of injecting drugs (slamming). ‘Tina’ and ‘slamming’ are slang terms, and are typically used within the MSM scene. Although up-to-date figures are lacking, it is believed that both the group of MSM that use crystal meth and those that slam are still relatively small. However, a plurality of signs indicates that it is a growing phenomenon.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.