$Unique_ID{BRK00301}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is It True That Crack Users Will Get Syphilis?}
$Subject{crack drugs syphilis Community Social lifestyle lifestyles sexually
transmitted diseases std venereal disease vd indiscriminate sex multiple
partners unprotected protection condoms condom}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is It True That Crack Users Will Get Syphilis?


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QUESTION:  I know teachers feel they have a responsibility to keep us out of
trouble, but when they start lecturing about things that can't be, they are
out of line.  We have one such guy at our school who keeps threatening that we
will get syphilis if we use crack.  I'm clean, but feel that he needs to be
straightened out.  Will you help me do it?

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ANSWER:  I don't know exactly how your teacher presented his material, but he
did get a reaction out of you.  I, too, believe in the war on crack, but
believe as you do that we must use arguments that are truthful if they are to
be of use in the fight.  This time your teacher must have done the homework,
because there are statistics to support his statement.  Many authorities think
as your teacher does, that the use of crack and the rising incidence of
sexually transmitted disease, including syphilis, are related, and
unfortunately on the rise.  The latest statistics from the Center for Disease
Control showed 18,142 syphilis cases reported for the period ending June 27,
1988.  Last year for the same reporting period there were 16,220 cases, or
almost 2,000 cases less.  The kind of sex that occurs in crack houses leaves
the door wide open to the spread of any and all sexual disease, as little
precaution is taken, and the act is committed indiscriminately with multiple
partners.  According to one survey of crack addicts in Brooklyn, their sexual
behavior went beyond what they might usually have participated in when not
using the drug, with people they might have avoided, or without using the
protection of condoms.  Of course you can't catch sexual diseases by using
crack, but you can't control your actions as you should, and you will be on a
path that leads to disasters you've never thought about.  Chalk one up for the
teacher.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.