“Understanding the Relationship Between Sex Trafficking and Opioid Use in Central Ohio: An Application of Sociological Deviance Theories.”
Introduction/Background:
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), the prevalence of sex trafficking has been on the rise in Ohio since 2012. In 2012, there were 63 cases of sex trafficking reported, while, most recently listed, there were 349 cases reported in 2018 (“Ohio”). Additionally, Columbus, Ohio was ranked as the 10th most populous city in the country based on the number of total human trafficking cases reported to the NHTH from December 7, 2007 to December 31, 2016 (NHTH, 2017). As the prevalence of sex trafficking has increased in the past decade in Ohio, the number of deaths caused by opioid-involved overdoses in conjunction with the opioid epidemic have also increased (Massatti et al., 2014; “Ohio Opioid Summary,”2019). The purpose of this present study is to better understand how the opioid epidemic has affected the prevalence of sex trafficking.
Methods:
Phone interviews were conducted with eight anti-trafficking service providers from Central Ohio and transcribed to identify overarching themes.
Results:
Findings suggest that opioids are used by traffickers to exploit vulnerabilities and lead women into trafficking and then used to maintain control over the women once they are trafficked. Women who are trafficked also may choose to use opioids to cope with their traumas. In regards to the recent opioid epidemic, it appears that personal drug use has increased among individual women who are trafficked and that the drug of choice has shifted from crack cocaine to heroin, an opioid.
Conclusions:
By applying sociological theory, furthermore, Howard Becker’s Labeling Theory is deduced to have more support in the context of trafficking and opioid use over Emile Durkheim’s Anomie Theory, primarily because providers believe that the stigma and shame associated with being labeled as a “drug addict” and as a “prostitute” prevent victims from seeking out help. In addition, providing more resources and education about addiction and mental health care, and approaching trafficking from an intersectional and public health lens may be a critical way to help prevent trafficking from occurring in the future.
Hi Serena,
I found your presentation very well-organized. Most notably, I found it interesting how you drew connections between the use opioids to both lure individuals into trafficking and to keep them trafficked. This presents itself as a continued issue in helping individuals. Great work!
Hi Marissa,
Thank you! Unfortunately, opioids (and other drugs) can be introduced during any point during the cycle in which one is trafficked. I would say the primary roles are to lure individuals into trafficking if they already have an addiction or to get them hooked after they become involved in trafficking so that traffickers can maintain control over them. In both scenarios, the victims’ vulnerabilities are being exploited.