NCJ Number
119971
Journal
British Journal of Addiction Volume: 84 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1989) Pages: 499-505
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In a study of the link between prostitution and drug abuse, 277 female prostitutes and 95 women with no history of prostitution, all of whom sought testing for HIV antibodies, were examined and compared.
Abstract
The most common drug used by both groups was marijuana, followed by amphetamines, sleeping pills, cocaine, and heroin. Although 12 percent in each population used intravenous drugs, prostitutes tended more toward sharing needles and syringes. While prostitutes were more likely to smoke than non-prostitutes, those under 30 smoked significantly more heavily than the other women. Conversely, fewer prostitutes than non-prostitutes drank alcohol, but those who did drank at a more dangerous level. The differences in drug consumption between the two groups was mainly work related. 4 tables, 19 references. (Author abstract modified)