PROJECTS

Presentation
Activities
Problems

In Latin America and the Caribbean, prevention and treatment programs need to be tailored to women's needs and research needs to be conducted to measure drug use among women and its associated factors.  

In many countries, treatment for women is inadequate, due to women’s limited access to resources, such as childcare, transportation, or health insurance, making it more difficult for them to enter treatment. [1] This lack of perspective on women as group at risk contributes to the allocation of services primarily to men, and the continued under-representation of women in drug research. 

A woman’s capacity to deal with drug abuse and related problems impact the family in addition to other social consequences when she is confronted with substance abuse, or a substance-abusing partner or family member.  Difficult situations such as family disintegration, loss of employment and rejection by friends may decrease women’s ability to seek treatment and eventual rehabilitation.  The absence of one parental figure and a lack of parent-child dialogue may contribute to drug abuse among young people,[2].  

Traditionally there is a lack of knowledge regarding the health of women who use drugs. Shortage of health care and human service professionals who are skilled in administering gender-oriented treatment methodologies are further obstacles.[3]