Julio's Story on Addiction
About Chasing
Chasing is a powerful series that centers on Julio, a young Latinx gay man navigating the difficult journey of recovery from methamphetamine addiction while living with HIV. Once trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, Julio’s story is one of hope and transformation as he begins to confront the emotional and physical toll of his past choices. The series follows his struggles and triumphs as he fights to reclaim his health, rebuild relationships, and find strength in his identity. Chasing highlights the challenges of overcoming addiction, the healing power of community, and the deep personal growth that comes with embracing recovery, resilience, and self-love.
The Experience of Addiction
Chasing is an eye-opening health education film that looks at the impact of methamphetamine use within the gay and bisexual community, focusing on the connection between meth use and HIV. The film explores the complex challenges of addiction, highlighting how meth can affect both physical and mental health, as well as relationships and self-care.
Meth use is more common among gay and bisexual men, often linked to “party and play”—a practice where meth is used during sex, which can increase the risk of HIV transmission. Beyond HIV, meth use can lead to serious health problems, including addiction, mental health issues, and even overdose.
Chasing raises awareness about the risks of meth use, while also offering hope and support for those on the path to recovery. It’s a powerful conversation starter about addiction, sexual health, and the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other.
Get Help
Explore your treatment options. Recovery programs, detox, harm reduction services, Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT), crystal meth and narcotics anonymous, and mental health therapy are available to support you through your addiction.
Not ready for a treatment? Needle exchange programs and overdose reversal programs offer safe ways to reduce harm to you and others. Drug therapies can also help you stabilize and cut back.
HIV Care & Prevention
HIV Care & Treatment
For people living with HIV, substance use can speed up disease progression, affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy (HIV medicine), and worsen the overall consequences of HIV.
HIV treatment prevents transmission to others.
- If you have an undetectable viral load, you will not transmit HIV through sex.
- Having an undetectable viral load likely reduces the risk of HIV transmission through sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment
HIV & STI Prevention
HIV can be prevented. Treatment options include PrEP, PEP and Doxy PEP
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is a medication for people who don't have HIV but are at risk of getting it.
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is for people who have possibly been exposed to HIV and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure.
Doxy-PEP stands for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis and involves taking one 200mg pill of doxycycline as soon as possible but no later than three days after having condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex to significantly reduce chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Recommended for men who have sex with men and transgender women.
Connecting to HIV and STI Testing and Prevention
Access HIV & STI testing and access to PrEP, PEP and Doxy services at ReachLA.org. A treatment navigator can connect you to what you need.
About US
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our mission is to create social awareness and transformative change for those most affected by social inequities through the use of innovative media, collaborative research and capacity building and training.
Our Team
Our Mission
Our Mission
Social Exchange Institute is a women-led company focused on producing social justice centered media campaigns and content, providing capacity building and training to diverse audiences, and raising awareness about today's social, economic and health disparities.
Our Process
Our Mission
Our Process
Chasing was produced by Social Exchange Institute and Kavich Reynolds Productions. Directed by Andres Rovira (Ep1) & Ryan Bergez (Ep 2). It was developed in partnership with a community advisory group made up of persons with lived experience.
Our Partners
Our Campaign HIstory
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Sin Verguenza is an award winning telenovela web-series that highlights the impact HIV has on Latino families. The 11-episode telenovela is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Free To Be
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Free to Be is a statewide campaign designed to increase STD awareness and testing among gay and bisexual Latino and African American men. One of a kind 6-part bilingual digital media series exclusive of gay and bi-sexual men of color which showcases a range of same gender loving relationships - from intimate relationships to casual hook-ups.
Ask Me About PrEP
Sin Verguenza Telenovela Series
Ask Me About PrEP
The Ask Me About PrEP Campaign is a three part video series designed to increase awareness of PrEP in highly impacted communities. The series aims to reach young Black gay & bisexual men through a segmented video titled Kiki n' Brunch; transgender women of color through the Fierce/Ella video series; and a two part provider focused education training videos for primary care providers.