Examining links between cocaine use and street-based sex work in New South Wales, Australia.
We examined potential links between cocaine use and street-based sex work in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, following reports of increased cocaine use among injection drug users (IDU). Police data on prostitution and possession/use of cocaine was analysed using time series analysis. Interviews with key informants and IDU were also conducted, and data on cocaine use from ongoing monitoring systems targeted at IDU were analysed. There was a clear increase in cocaine use among IDU which occurred in 2001. This occurred at the same time as an increase in prostitution offenses. Qualitative data suggested that a greater number of primary heroin users were engaging in street-based sex work, which was driven in part by the increases in cocaine use among this group. Subsequent reductions in cocaine availability led to decreased cocaine use and possession offenses, along with reductions in prostitution offenses.
Degenhardt
Louisa
L
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia. l.degenhardt@unsw.edu.au
Day
Carolyn
C
Conroy
Elizabeth
E
Gilmour
Stuart
S
D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D003932:Heroin / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends
D016578:Crack Cocaine; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003932:Heroin