Epidemiological indicators and ethnographic realities of female cocaine use

This study is an ethnographic examination of differences in the male-to-fem ale ratio among cocaine users in epidemiological indicators from emergency room departments, local drug-user treatment programs, and the pretrial dete ntion center. In-depth interviews were conducted with female cocaine users. The lower female ratio in drug treatment and emergency department sources seems related to barriers to drug-user treatment for women and the image of emergency departments as an extension of the criminal justice system. The women's involvement in visible illegal activities and their perception as e asy arrestees may explain the arrestee data ratio. The findings indicate th at epidemiological indicators may misrepresent the gender distribution amon g drug users.