GENDER, RELATIONSHIPS, AND CRACK COCAINE - A CONTENT-ANALYSIS

Past research has indicated gender differences among narcotic users th at have implications for the prevention and treatment of substance abu se; however, little is known about these differences among crack cocai ne users. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare the re lational context of male and female crack cocaine use. Data from open- ended, structured interviews with 46 predominantly African-American wo men (n = 23) and men (n = 23) were compared using manifest content ana lysis. Women were more likely to begin, use and/or maintain their use of crack in the context of more intimate opposite sex relationships, w hile men were more likely to begin their use with male friends and ass ociates and to maintain drug use with income from jobs and selling dru gs. Overall, relationships (both sexual and familial) were a more prom inent aspect of crack use for women while entrepreneurship was more sa lient for men. These findings suggest the need for gender-sensitive pr evention and treatment strategies. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.