Vivências de mulheres que consomem crack em Pelotas-RS

Abstract

Drug use among women is increasing and it is influenced by different social markers, thus know the relationship between gender and crack use allows us to identify the pattern of use among women and understand how their socialization occurs. This study is justified because women who use crack show specific and unique necessities which need to be recognized by the health professionals in their work practice. So, we had as objective: know the experiences of women who use crack. This is a study with a qualitative approach, exploratory and descriptive, it is a cutting of data of the research "profile of crack users and usage patterns" funded by CNPq. collection was performed in the period of January 2012 in the different neighbourhoods of the city of Pelotas / RS, Brazil, along with Harm Reduction Agents. 16 women participated of the survey; they were users or former users of crack and enrolled Harm Reduction Strategy of the city. The semi-structured interviews occurred in the social context where women live or move through. The analysis of the questions was based on content analysis, in the mode of thematic. The results showed a group of women, mostly young, with low schooling and income, performing informal occupational activities and with at least 1 child. With regard to the pattern of crack use, the consumption was of the binge type and interfered with their pre-existing daily activities, featuring the most of those women as abusive crack users. Escape from loneliness, troubles and losses, in addition, the search for pleasure and happiness were identified like some reasons responsible for the maintenance of use of this drug. The abusive pattern of crack and the low financial conditions seem to be responsible factors for the involvement of some women in prostitution and in criminal practices, such as thefts and drug trafficking. We identified a network of solidarity between the people who use crack, formed from the establishment of help bonds and alliances. Several adverse events during the childhood of those women, such as family dysfunction, use of alcohol and other drugs and the presence of physical violence were identified, explaining the existence of family relationships troubled before the start of crack use. The data analysis under the perspective of gender relationships allowed us to understand that the woman who consumes crack is permeated by several relational categories, which place the particular, woman, in constant interaction with other social markers which are responsible items for producing and transforming circumstances and concrete experiences, according to the specific needs and wishes, thus interfering in the pattern of crack use.