An exploration of gender differences in the initiation of and attitudes toward crack cocaine use in the English-speaking Caribbean

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the contextual factors associated with the initiation of and attitudes toward crack cocaine use from a sample of out-of-treatment male and female users from three islands in the English-speaking Caribbean. Data from 111 persons who reported using crack cocaine in the previous 30 days are analyzed. Females were more likely than males to have been initiated into crack cocaine use by a sex partner (63% vs. 22%, p = 0.007). Women were more likely to report a history of exchanging sex in relation to crack cocaine (93% vs. 66%, p < 0.0001). Most men and women reported no perception of danger associated with crack before initiation; however, at time of interview, almost everyone perceived it as very dangerous. These findings suggest the importance of developing drug education messages that are substance-specific. Given the dangers associated with crack cocaine use, special efforts must be made to prevent initiation of use.

• Crack cocaine use
• Caribbean
• gender
• drug prevention
• harm reduction

Notes

Notes

[1] $20.00 Eastern Caribbean dollars, $20.00 Trinidadian dollars, $200 Jamaican dollars.