THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE DRUG-USERS - COMMUNITY SAMPLES OF HEROIN AND COCAINE USERS COMPARED

Although gender-related issues are often cited as playing an important part in determining patterns of illicit drug use, little is known abo ut the differences between male and female drug users outside treatmen t settings. In the present study, 558 heroin and cocaine users recruit ed from a range of community settings were interviewed by Privileged A ccess Interviewers. The women were found to be younger than the men. D ifferences existed in their drug use; women used smaller amounts, for a shorter duration, and were less likely to inject than their male cou nterparts. No differences existed between treatment contact for the he roin users, but differences were found among the cocaine-using sample, with men being more likely to have contacted a treatment agency. Men were financing themselves through more criminal activities than women. Drug-using sexual partners were found to be an important influence ov er women's drug use, with most female injectors having been given thei r first injection by a male sexual partner. Structural differences in patterns of drug use found among female drug users and the influence o f male sexual partners are likely to play an important role in determi ning appropriate treatment options for women drug users.