Ellen Campbell-Grizzle

Jamaican young women are using psychoactive substances more now than ever before.

According to the 2006 study among in-school youth commissioned by the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), disparities in consumption of drugs between male and females have narrowed. For the first time, prevalence of use of any illegal substance in the last 30 days among in-school females was 17.3 per cent compared to in-school males at 15.7 per cent. This upward trend of drug abuse among young females is in keeping with findings in regional and international studies.

Real concerns

Concerns about this situation are varied, for example, cigarette is being actively promoted to young women; early initiation of cigarette use could mean prolonged exposure its toxic substances and Jamaican youth are experimenting with 'beady', an imported product that contains nicotine and tar.

Recent studies have shown that women who abuse 'crack' cocaine are at greater risk of contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Women are the main providers of sexual services, which is a central feature of the sex-for-crack phenomenon.

This has contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS into the non-injecting, drug-using heterosexual population. We know that females who are addicts of substances, like 'crack' cocaine, confer drug dependence to the foetus. Engaging in unprotected sex puts the unborn at risk of contracting HIV.

United States National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) scientists have found that the HIV prenatal transmission rate for women who used drugs during pregnancy was 27 per cent compared with 16 per cent transmission rate among HIV-infected women who did not use drugs. Drug abuse among women is of particular concern because of their child-bearing and child-rearing functions.

Experimenting for pleasure

Ten years ago, a survey of the in-school population found that experimentation was the most common reason for drug use. The 2006 survey identified that the reasons have shifted; peer pressure has become the most common reason for use although use for pleasure and psychological reasons have increased in importance.

Prevention planners have found that teens who use drugs out of curiosity or in response to peer pressure are more likely to stop when they grow up than those who turn to more frequent drug involvement for personal pleasure or psychological reasons. Teens who do not use drugs must begin to set norms against drug abuse within their circle of friends. This is positive peer pressure and it is very powerful.

Time for prevention

The need for more research into the physiological and behavioural impact of drug abuse on women is recognised. However, Jamaican young women must recognise that they are being targeted and take preventative action. Remember, a bright future depends on the choices that you make today.

Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists; director, Information and Research, National Council on Drug Abuse; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.