New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Thursday, May 24, 2007

N-473, 2006-07

New York University’s Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) will hold a symposium on Fri., June 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Kimball Hall, 246 Greene Street, to discuss the findings of a recent study, “Project Hope,” into methamphetamine use and HIV among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in New York City. The symposium is funded in part through a grant by The New York Community Trust. [Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F (West 4th St.); R, W (8th St)]

Among the findings:

• Many BMSM who use methamphetamine report experiencing multiple forms of trauma, including race- and sexual orientation-related stigmatization.
• BMSM report that using methamphetamine provided them with access to Black gay communities in NYC.
• BMSM report using methamphetamine to alleviate chronic stress resulting from racism and homophobia.

The symposium will convene a number of experts in the field, including Robert Fullilove, Ed.D., Columbia University; Roy Jerome, Ph.D., project director, CHIBPS, NYU Steinhardt; Gregorio Millett, MPH, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Ronald Stall, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh; and Perry Halkitis, Ph.D., director, CHIBPS and associate dean for research and doctoral studies, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

CHIBPS, located within Steinhardt’s department of applied psychology, conducts cutting-edge behavioral research in the synergistic areas of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, and mental health. The “Project Hope” symposium is the centerpiece of Center’s research into methamphetamine use and HIV among BMSM, and will convene a number of researchers, community leaders, and stakeholders. Following a morning plenary session, the symposium will feature presentations by the speakers, a question and answer period, followed by four breakout sessions.

The breakout sessions, each led by a different expert speaker, include the following: Communities of Color and Drug Epidemics: A Synergy of Plagues (Fullilove); Project Hope: Methamphetamine Use, HIV Behaviors, and the Search for Belonging in Black MSM Communities of New York City (Jerome); Black MSM and Crystal Meth Use: Truths, Partial Truths, and the Unknown (Millett); African-American MSM and Meth: How Concerned Should We Be? (Stall).

Reporters interested in attending should call Tim Farrell at the NYU Office of Public Affairs, 212.998.6797 or email at tim.farrell@nyu.edu.