Exploring trajectories of drug use, violence, and suicidality among marginalized women : avenues of intervention and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics
cIRcle January 1, 2019 Elena Argento
Marginalized women, including street-involved women, sex workers, and women who use drugs, face high risks of violence and suicidality due to social and economic disadvantage. This work examined drug use, violence, and suicidality among sex workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada, using data from a community-based cohort. Interpersonal violence, homelessness, trauma, and childhood abuse were strong determinants of drug use and suicide risk. Increased social cohesion had an independent protective effect on suicidality. Psychedelic use was associated with a 60% reduced hazard of suicidality, providing some of the first empirical evidence of its potential benefits for preventing suicide.