NCJ Number
124597
Journal
Contemporary Drug Problems Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 689-700
Date Published
1990
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Interviews with juvenile drug users in Miami in 1987 found that 27 of the 38 adolescent females interviewed reported exchanging sex for crack cocaine.
Abstract
The females ranged from 14 to 17 years of age. Thirty-seven percent had dropped out of school and all had been expelled or suspended from school at least once. The youth began using drugs at an average age of 6.1 years, with regular use of alcohol by age 9. Marijuana use began at age 9, followed by cocaine at age 11.2, heroin at age 11.4, prescription depressants at age 12.4, and crack at age 13.1. Involvement in crime began at an average age of 9.9 years with marijuana sales, followed by theft at age 10, prostitution at age 10.6 and robbery at age 11.9. Findings showed that both exchanges of sex for crack and prostitution for money to buy crack were typical for this population, although the frequency of the exchanges varied widely. In addition, some of the youths found it difficult to distinguish between prostitution and exchanges of sex for crack. Moreover, oral sex was common and most of the exchanges involved casual arrangements. These youths do not necessarily represent adolescent drug users or crack users in general, but the data indicate the need for further research. Tables and 11 reference notes.