NCJ Number
147383
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 27 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 1283-1292
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study probed demographics, drug-use experimentation and frequency, age of first drug use, and drug treatment among 53 female prostitutes and 47 female arrestees.
Abstract
The 100 subjects were arrestees detained at the Hillsborough County (Florida) Work Release Center. Prior to interviewing, the instant offense of the jail population was examined to identify women arrested on prostitution- and nonprostitution-related charges. The National Institute on Drug Abuse's AIDS Initial Assessment Questionnaire was used with some modifications. The study found that the average female prostitute in Hillsborough County was a 28-year-old white, unemployed drug user who had not completed high school. She most likely started using alcohol at age 14 or 15, with daily drinking and other drug use beginning approximately 2 years later. This study provides convincing evidence that early intervention among female prostitutes is needed. Information on drug use suggests that drug-use treatment might benefit some. The lack of formal education among the prostitutes suggests another avenue of intervention. Additional research must be conducted to determine whether these findings are generalizable to prostitutes across the Nation. 3 tables and 17 references