Social Relationships of Crime-Involved Women Cocaine Users

• NCJ Number: 187509
• Journal: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 2000 Pages: 445-460
• Author(s): Anne E. Pottieger Ph.D.; Patricia A. Tressell M.S.
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1-R01-DAO8615
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC. Earlier version of article presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology, 1997, San Diego.

Annotation

This study of research on social relationships among crime-involved female drug users in Miami indicated social relationships played a significant role in drug use and recovery.

Abstract

Several open questions about social relationships were posed to female drug users in the Miami metropolitan area between 1994 and 1996. Over 400 women were interviewed in treatment programs, and an equal number were recruited on the street. Respondents were asked about their social relationships during the last 30 days on the street with regard to both legal and illegal activities. The questions concerned crime partnerships, help obtaining cocaine, living arrangements, help with living expenses, children and help with child care, help with several ordinary problems, and pressures to enter drug treatment. The analysis focused on how much social support crime-involved female cocaine users had in their ordinary daily activities and who provided support. Comparisons of findings for street and treatment respondents suggested sample type was very important in looking at social support among crime-involved female cocaine users. Street respondents were more likely to live with another cocaine user, to get at least some cocaine in the last 30 days as a gift or through sharing, and to receive financial support for crimes without help from a partner. Treatment respondents were slightly more likely to report living with a drug dealer, but only 17 percent of treatment respondents lived with a drug dealer. The samples were also quite different in terms of social support for legal activities. In virtually every respect, treatment respondents reported much more support than street respondents. The authors conclude continued family connections in particular appear to be important for crime-involved female cocaine users who eventually enter drug treatment, whereas relationships with street friends are especially important for women who maintain their involvement in cocaine use and crime rather than entering treatment. 91 references and 4 tables