NCJ Number
65917
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
ALTHOUGH STUDIES SHOW MOST FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS SUPPORT THEIR HABIT THROUGH PROSTITUTION, IT IS WRONG TO STEREOTYPE FEMALE ADDICTS AS PROSTITUTES.
Abstract
STUDIES FROM THE 19TH CENTURY THROUGH THE 1930'S REVEALED, PROSTITUTION AS A CAUSE OF MORPHINE ADDICTION AND ADDICTION A MEANS FOR A PIMP'S SECURING WOMEN. A LATER STUDY IN A NEW YORK HOSPITAL SHOWED THAT 71 PERCENT OF WOMEN ADMITTED FOR DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT IN A 6-MONTH PERIOD SUPPORTED THEIR HABIT THROUGH PROSTITUTION. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT CLEAR IF PROSTITUTION LEADS TO DRUG ADDICTION OR VICE-VERSA. ACCORDINGLY, A SAMPLE OF 149 FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS WERE INTERVIEWED AT LENGTH IN MIAMI, FLA. THE WOMEN WERE 51 PERCENT WHITE, 49 PERCENT BLACK OR HISPANIC, WITH A MEDIAN AGE OF 25.9 YEARS. MOST OF THE WOMEN WERE NEITHER MARRIED NOR EMPLOYED, AND ALL HAD CRIMINAL RECORDS AND A LONG HISTORY OF DRUG ADDICTION. HOWEVER, 55 PERCENT REPORTED THAT THEIR FIRST CRIME WAS A PROPERTY CRIME. FURTHER, OF ALL CRIMES COMMITTED BY THE WOMEN IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, 35 PERCENT WERE AGAINST PROPERTY WHILE ONLY 33 PERCENT WERE PROSTITUTION. FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CRIME TO SUPPORT THEIR HABITS, AND THEY ARE DIFFERENT IN THIS RESPECT FROM FEMALE ADDICTS OF THE PAST. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE ADDICTS ARE NOW MORE PRONE TO VIOLENCE, ADDICTED TO MORE SUBSTANCES, AND MORE ACTIVE CRIMINALLY. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (PAP)