Street Business: The Links Between Sex and Drug Markets

• NCJ Number: 182422
• Author(s): Tiggey May; Mark Edmunds; Michael Hough; Claire Harvey
• Editor(s): Barry Webb
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 61 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Police Research Series, Paper 118

Annotation

Case studies were conducted of three Greater London areas in which open drug and sex markets co-existed, with areas selected to represent a range of market types and different policing styles, to assess links between the two types of markets.

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 67 sex workers who had recent experience in Class A drug use, drug workers, 30 police sergeants and constables, and 6 senior police officers. Data were collected between August 1997 and January 1998. The closeness of links between drug and sex markets varied according to area. In one area, the sex market made only a small contribution to the viability of the drug market. Sex workers comprised only a small proportion of drug buyers, only a few sex workers used drugs with their clients, and sex workers did not appear to be involved in drug distribution. In another area, links between drug and sex markets were closer. Sex workers constituted a significant minority of drug market customers and were among the biggest spenders. They tended to use drugs with clients, to sell them drugs, or to buy drugs on their behalf. In addition, they often accepted drugs as payment for sex. In the third area, the structure of the drug market was more complex, with both open and closed facets. Sex workers played an important role in sustaining the closed market by virtue of their buying power, and they played an integral role in the operation of the open market. Crack facilitated sex work, and the ease with which sex workers raised money meant they were ideal clients for crack markets. Levels of harm associated with integrated drug and sex markets are discussed, along with prevention options that focus on early warning systems, intensive casework, police liaison officers, arrest referral schemes, enhanced police powers, situational strategies, enforcement strategies, and harm reduction strategies. A profile of respondent drug use is appended. 40 references, 6 tables, and 4 figures