For a variety of complex reasons, alcohol and other drugs play a central role in the lives of many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. An increase in the use of crystal methamphetamine has shifted debate in the community to view the use of substances in a more analytical way.

This paper will explore from a historical cultural perspective the role of various substances within the GLBT community. It will examine the centrality of alcohol and other drug use in the lives of many GLBT people and the impact of changing drug trends.

Research has identified that rates of alcohol and other drug use are generally higher among homosexually active men and women than among their heterosexual counterparts (Degenhardt, 2005). Such changing trends pose great challenges for GLBT community based services and the wider AOD sector.

This presentation will address many of the intricacies that GLBT people who use alcohol and other drugs need to manage including dependency, co infection issues, mental health and sexual health. It will demonstrate that there is an urgent need for the inclusion of GLBT issues to be included in drug and alcohol policy, planning, service delivery and research at all levels of government and in a variety of sectors