A Qualitative Exploration of Perceived Gender Differences in Methamphetamine Use among Women Who Use Methamphetamine on the Mexico-U.S. Border

The purpose of this study is to extend the research on contextual factors that influence the initiation and continued use of methamphetamine (meth) by women on the U.S.-Mexico border. 

At present, a minimal body of literature exists that explores meth use on the Mexico-U.S. border. A purposeful sample of 20 women who were active meth users aged ≥18 years was recruited by trained outreach workers from a variety of meth-user networks in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, the city bordering El Paso, Texas. 

Respondents participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews including questions on users' perceived familial, social, and environmental influences of meth use. Gender-based themes emerged from the analysis: 

1. patterns of meth use; 
2. places where drugs were used; 
3. effects of relationship networks on meth use; 
4. differential access to drugs; 
5. trading sex for drugs; 
6. perceived class differences; and 
7. long-term drug use and its consequences. 

Respondents reported a preference for using meth as powder or pills as opposed to smoking or injecting the drug. They reported being introduced to meth by men they trust and relying on men for drug acquisition in spaces less accessible and more dangerous to women. 

They described how the drug changed their lifestyle and their behavior towards family members and friends, including instances of physical and psychological violence. Interventions for women on the Mexico-U.S. border should be developed based on users' social networks to target social processes to prevent initiation and to bring active meth users into treatment.

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By:   Loza O¹, Ramos R², Ferreira-Pinto J¹, Hernandez MT³, Villalobos SA⁴.

¹a College of Health Sciences , University of Texas at El Paso (http://chs.utep.edu/) , El Paso , TX.

²b Alliance of Border Collaboratives (ABC) , El Paso , TX.

³c School of Public Health , University of California , Berkeley , CA.

⁴d Department of Emergency Medicine , Texas Tech Health Sciences of El Paso, Paul Foster School of Medicine , El Paso , TX.

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2015 Dec 21:1-20. [Epub ahead of print]

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A Qualitative Exploration of Perceived Gender Differences in Methamphetamine Use among Women Who Use Methamphetamine on the Mexico–U.S. border

The purpose of this study is to extend the research on contextual factors that influence the initiation and continued use of methamphetamine (meth) by women on the U.S.-Mexico border. 

At present, a minimal body of literature exists that explores meth use on the Mexico-U.S. border. A purposeful sample of 20 women who were active meth users aged ≥18 years was recruited by trained outreach workers from a variety of meth-user networks in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, the city bordering El Paso, Texas. Respondents participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews including questions on users’ perceived familial, social, and environmental influences of meth use. 

Gender-based themes emerged from the analysis: 

1. patterns of meth use; 
2. places where drugs were used; 
3. effects of relationship networks on meth use; 
4. differential access to drugs; 
5. trading sex for drugs; 
6. perceived class differences; and 
7. long-term drug use and its consequences. 

Respondents reported a preference for using meth as powder or pills as opposed to smoking or injecting the drug. They reported being introduced to meth by men they trust and relying on men for drug acquisition in spaces less accessible and more dangerous to women. 

They described how the drug changed their lifestyle and their behavior towards family members and friends, including instances of physical and psychological violence. Interventions for women on the Mexico-U.S. border should be developed based on users’ social networks to target social processes to prevent initiation and to bring active meth users into treatment.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/3HQjNt

By:   Oralia Loza^a*, Rebeca Ramos^b, João Ferreira-Pinto^a, Maria Teresa Hernandez^c & Susana A. Villalobos^d

• ^a College of Health Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
• ^b Alliance of Border Collaboratives (ABC), El Paso, TX
• ^c School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA
• ^d Department of Emergency Medicine, Texas Tech Health Sciences of El Paso, Paul Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, TX

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Vulnerability Factors and Pathways Leading to Underage Entry into Sex Work in Two Mexican-US Border Cities

"...[C]onsequences of early sexual and physical abuse led to running away from home, dropping out of school, and homelessness. The homelessness and lack of social support rendered them vulnerable to underage entry or in some instances to being coerced or forced into sex work. These findings complement prior research conducted in other regions indicating experiences young exposure to sexual and physical abuse and running away as an adolescent are primary risks for the commercial sexual exploitation of children.49–51 Furthermore, it is important to mention that not one of the participants received mental health services or professional services of any kind for the abuse they endured. For many this study was their first time disclosing to someone the abuse they had experienced and many participants expressed relief in doing so. These findings suggest the need in Mexico for more effective child protective service programs to identify and assist children who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse in a timely way given their potential implications.

Economic need is often connected to entry into sex work; evidence indicates that when women lack viable alternatives, they are more likely to perceive sex work as a feasible option for income.52 In our study, teen pregnancy was the common denominator that gave rise to economic need such as child caring needs (i.e., shelter, food, etc.). Because these women were underage at the time of pregnancy, had low levels of education and were poorly skilled, they had limited employment opportunities. These findings complement prior work indicating the role of limited opportunities for women as drivers of entry to sex work and trafficking.53, 54 The Mexican government has gone to great efforts to improve the educational opportunities, and thus the employment opportunities, of young women and girls from lower socioeconomic status with programs such as Prospera (previously referred to as Oportunidades).55 However, these findings indicate that there are other needs that must be addressed (i.e., family issues, sexual and physical abuse) in order to reach these girls or expand their program to target high-risk girls who are suffering from these vulnerabilities as our study revealed." [bold added]

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