A Community Social Work Study of Methamphetamine Use Among Women: Implications for Social Work Practice, Education and Research

ABSTRACT

Despite the widespread and increasing use of methamphetamine among females in the Western, Midwestern and Southern U.S., little research has focused upon women using methamphetamine, particularly from nonclinical or community perspectives. Such use puts women at risk for a variety of health and social problems. In this paper we report on female methamphetamine use that was investigated by using ethnographic methods in a community context. Thirty women were interviewed and their responses analyzed by the research team. Lessons learned suggest that women use methamphetamine for a variety of reasons, several of which may be unique to women. Implications for further research, prevention efforts, and practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Methamphetamine
• women
• substance abuse
• health risks
• social problems