48 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | POSITIVE THOUGHTS
Qsaltlake.com |
ISSUE 311 |
May, 2020
Finding Hope in ‘Crystal City’ BY JEFF BERRY
In the trailer for the new feature-length documentary film Crystal City, Rob, who is living with HIV and four years sober, says that during his time dealing and using crystal methamphetamine he discovered “there are addicts everywhere, from people living on the street to business executives of major entertainment companies — from the gutter to the penthouse.”
New York City, which is experiencing a 300–400 percent surge of crystal meth use, is the backdrop for this gritty, graphic, but ultimately inspiring and hopeful film infused with heart and compassion. It follows 12 gay men over the course of one year, some actively using, others in recovery. (A word of warning: some of the scenes of people smoking and injecting crystal meth may be difficult to watch.) David Fawcett, author of Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery, is interviewed throughout the film, and is also one of the film’s producers. Crystal City is filled with bits of information about things like the origins of crystal meth in the U.S. (known as “mother’s little helper” to housewives during the 1950s) and high-quality animations depicting the science behind the drug, such as how it can alter the dopamine receptors in the brain with continued use. The power of crystal meth overtakes most users with consistent use, the movie tells us. 10,721 people died from overdos-
es in the U.S. last year. It’s estimated that 50% of gay men who are using crystal meth will seroconvert, acquiring HIV and other infections such as HCV. “A small percentage of addicts do seek recovery,” says Fawcett. “For them, quitting the drug is just the beginning of their journey.” Ninety percent of those in recovery will relapse at least once, we are told. The hope and inspiration of Crystal City springs from the men who are followed in the film through various stages of recovery and use. “One of the things about getting sober is that you have people you can talk to,” says one individual, “and before, I didn’t have that.” In an almost ironic twist of fate, the community that people discover in recovery is the connection they were initially seeking when they started using in the first place. “I’m damaged goods,” says Rob. “No one’s going to want me — I’m untouchable.” Crystal meth offers users an exit door, freedom, oblivion, and makes everyone
