Previous studies looking at the relationship between recreational drugs and sexual risk taking have produced conflicting results. As published in the January 2^nd edition of AIDS, the investigators commented, ‘the relationship between illicit drug use and risk behavior is neither simple nor directâ?. This initiated a study finding that the majority of HIV-positive gay men in Sydney, who used ‘party drugsâ? such as ecstasy, amyl nitrite, marijuana and methamphetamine, had no significant relationship in unprotected anal sex with casual partners. In face-to-face interviews, the men were asked about a range of topics including their sexual identity; involvement in the gay community; contact with the HIV epidemic; sexual relationships; sexual practices with both regular and casual partners; and their drug and alcohol usage. Age, education, area of residence, employment and income were all factors taken into account. The ongoing Positive Health Study sampled a total of 274 men in the initial study (2004), and 208 attend the second follow-up visit in 2005. The uses of party drugs were associated with younger age, socialising on the day scene, and engagement in hidden/secret sexual practices. In 2005, 46% of men interviewed (131) reported anal intercourse with a casual partner in the six months before. Of this, 103 men provided investigators with detailed information about their most recent sexual encounters. This uncovered, ‘illicit drug was no greater in encounters in which a condom was not used than in those which a condom was usedâ?.