ICE IS STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN BUT MADE FOR A WOMAN - A SOCIAL CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE USE AMONG ASIAN-PACIFIC-AMERICANS

This paper is concerned with the cultural and gendered context of crys tal methamphetamine use among Asian Pacific Americans, and draws on re cent sociological discussions on masculinities and femininities. The d ata are based on an ethnographic study of moderate to heavy ''ice'' us ers, and compares the experiences of Asian Pacific American women and men in their initiation to use, their motivations to continue using, a nd the changing nature of their relationship to the drug and significa nt others. The paper concludes with a gender comparison of the violenc e associated with crystal methamphetamine use.