The service that dares not speak its name

The deaths of five street sex workers in Ipswich has generated much media interest examining also the wider implications including the link between sex work and drugs

DrugScope was asked to comment and we focused on the poor provision for this group of drug users. We made the point that no other group of problem drug users put their lives at such daily risk to obtain the money to buy drugs as street sex workers. The need for specialised drug services was highlighted in a Home Office report called 'Paying the Price'. As revealed in the Sunday Observer by one of the report's authors, the government at first tried to suppress the report and then agreed to publish a much watered down version in January, which no journalist we spoke to had heard of.

But we also wanted to promote any examples of good practice; services (however limited or patchy) which provided the sort of care these women need - clinics open out of hours, on-site consultations and so on. We contacted one such service, but they were adamant they wanted no publicity whatsoever. Their stated concern was that it might attract men into the area - as if any man seeking sex in this town wouldn't know where to go anyway. And bearing in mind that there can't be a major town or city in the country that doesn't have a red light district, publicity was hardly likely to attract 'sex tourists'.

No, there was a sub-text to their worries which also surfaces every time we do our annual survey of street drug prices. It is a fear that the finger will be pointed at workers and managers for failing to deal with this special problem that nobody else has. And who feels they have most to lose from this? Local politicians and business people (especially in tourist areas) fearful that their town's 'fine reputation' will be besmirched by the unwelcome (but wholly predictable) revelation that there are problem drug users in their midst.

The point is simply this. How are we ever going to tackle the social isolation and stigma felt by users and their families, when some of the very people trying to help feel the need to lurk in the shadows pretending they don't exist?

The Druglink blogger is taking a well-deserved break and will resume on Monday 8th January. We know the blog has already received over 5000 site visits since we started in early November, so let us know if you have thoughts about the content.

The DrugData blog also carries an article and reading list on drugs and sex work - http://drugscope.blogspot.com/2006/12/focus-sex-workers-and-drugs.html


Other useful links:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ProstitutionStrategy.pdf?view=Binary
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1974091,00.html