Crack and prostitution: Gender, myths, and experiences

This paper presents the results from in-depth interviews with 30 crack-usin g women also working in the sex trade to support their drug use. The gender roles perspective highlights traditional beliefs from past decades about t he appeal of cocaine to women, its effects on their sexuality, and the reas ons they become prostitutes. These are contrasted with the harsh realities of the dangers and marginalization faced by female crack users who work the streets in the contemporary sex trade. These women operate at the lowest l evels of street drug use and prostitution, experience a considerable amount of violence and sexual exploitation, and are subject to riskier practices in their sex work. Their crack addiction fuels this extreme vulnerability a nd contributes to their highly deviant and stigmatized social image. We con clude that, similar to findings in of her studies, the increase in crack co nsumption and availability has had serious negative repercussions for poor women who were, or became, involved in the sex trade. Moreover, the powerfu l appeal of crack to these women poses a challenge for harm reduction alter natives and other services that might improve their health and safety.