Johannesburg, 18 November 2024 – OUT LGBT Well-being (OUT) is harnessing the power of AI to support men who have sex with men (MSM) who engage in chemsex in an effort to improve their well-being by empowering them to make safe and informed choices.
Launched under OUT’s HARMless Project, with funding from Love Alliance, this innovative service offers accessible, non-judgmental harm reduction support, resources, and information to MSM via a WhatsApp chat line.
Chemsex—the use of specific stimulant drugs to enhance sexual experiences—poses significant health risks for MSM, including a heightened risk of HIV. The HARMless AI Chatbot allows users to anonymously interact with a friendly, responsive AI that answers questions about substance side effects and interactions, safer use, and healthy behaviour, and how to seek help when needed.
This is the first AI-powered chatbot of its kind in South Africa addressing the harm reduction needs of MSM who engage in chemsex. It combines a comprehensive repository of health and harm reduction knowledge with biomedical intervention resources aimed specifically at the unique needs of this vulnerable population which is often disenfranchised in public health spheres.
The chatbot can also provide referrals for those seeking professional assistance. A moderator oversees the platform to ensure that, if necessary, users can be connected to a human for further support.
“MSM who engage in chemsex often don’t know where to turn for reliable and safe information that can protect their health and rights,” says Sive Mjindi, Coordinator of the HARMless Project. “They frequently encounter judgement and discrimination when trying to access healthcare and support for chemsex and sexualised drug use related concerns. The HARMless Chatbot aims to address this challenge through the use of innovative technology.”
This initiative is part of OUT’s broader commitment to reduce stigma around MSM engaging in chemsex and sexualised drug use in general, which also includes sensitisation training for healthcare providers and policy advocacy to address the unique needs of this growing group.
Groundbreaking Study and Clinical Guidelines
The HARMless Project recently completed one of South Africa’s first comprehensive research studies on chemsex, funded by the World Health Organization. This study explored the values and preferences of MSM engaged in chemsex, emphasising the urgent need for tailored harm reduction guidelines and equitable healthcare for people who use substances, especially in sexual contexts.
Through these efforts, OUT LGBT Well-being has developed clinical guidelines recommendations in partnership with healthcare providers across the country and the South African HIV Clinicians Society. This is key to OUT’ work to ensure that MSM who engage in chemsex have access to holistic, non-judgmental care from all healthcare sectors servicing people who use substances
“MSM who engage in chemsex often face marginalisation due to societal attitudes, criminalisation, and a lack of understanding about their specific needs,” says Dawie Nel, the Executive Director of OUT. “Our goal, through this and other initiatives, is to reduce harm and protect human rights by creating a compassionate, stigma-free environment.”
OUT is also committed to advancing the human rights of MSM who engage in chemsex by partnering with prominent stakeholders who are working towards the decriminalisation of substance possession for personal use by hosting an engagement workshop on the third and fourth of December this year.
The objective of this workshop will be to form a consortium that will advance the call for decriminalisation for personal possession, noting that MSM who engage in chemsex are often further marginalised by existing punitive substance laws in South Africa which make it difficult for those affected by substance use to seek regular health-support.
MSM who engage in chemsex and sexualised drug use are encouraged to try out the HARMless AI Chatbot by sending a message to the following WhatsApp number: 087 250 2762. The service operates 24/7 and is completely free and anonymous.
Additionally, a telephone helpline and WhatsApp service with human intervention, can also be accessed on 060 985 5443 during weekdays (08.30 – 16.30).
About OUT LGBT Well-being
OUT LGBT Well-being is a registered NPO internationally recognised for providing high-quality HIV, health, and empowerment services to gay, bisexual, and MSM communities. Established in 1994, OUT is one of South Africa’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ organisations, advocating for equality, human rights, and the elimination of stigma, discrimination, and hate crimes.