Prostitutes 'need drugs support'

Many prostitutes are stuck in the cycle of working to pay for drugs

Women working as prostitutes should be given better access to drugs services, a conference has been told.

The event in Edinburgh was organised by the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) following the murder of Glasgow prostitute Emma Caldwell.

Most prostitutes working in Scotland are believed to have a drug addiction and are caught in the cycle of working to buy drugs.

The SDF wants more resources for services aiming to help prostitutes.

Biba Brand, of SDF, also believes drug workers should be sent out to see the women on the streets.

"We need to put in more services that will be open 24 hours," she said.

Emotional issues

"And that will also get out onto the street and try to reach prostitutes, male and female, and provide services like counselling."

'Skye', who is working as a prostitute, said she found it impossible to kick the drugs and get on with her life.

She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Your past, it's always coming back and that's what you keep running away from and taking drugs to avoid because you don't want to deal with what's hurting you."

Ms Caldwell, who was murdered earlier this year, turned to drugs following her sister's death.

Her killer has still not been found and Strathclyde Police are trying to trace some of her clients.

Every time I get in a car it's like: this is the last time you're going to see me 'Susan'

Ms Brand said: "She was very isolated. She was a drug user and she was homeless.

"We really need to put in more resources to meet the needs of this really excluded group, who are living risky lives and have emotional as well as health needs."

There has been concern, following Ms Caldwell's murder, that prostitutes may have become even more vulnerable.

'Susan', who also works as a prostitute, said: "Every time I get in a car it's like: this is the last time you're going to see me.

"I've got to do it. I've got a baby, I've got a habit. It's got to be done."