Michelle, not her real name, was one of those girls. At one point in her life she was what is referred to by many Yellowknifers as a "coke slut."

First offered cocaine at age 13, she declined. But for most of her teenage years she travelled in groups that centred around using either drugs, alcohol or both.

It wasn't until she suffered a personal tragedy that she tried the drug, which eventually damaged her health, spirit, mind and reputation.

Others lured Michelle into a scene promising easy access to easy highs. It was fun in the beginning until she found herself addicted. Those who had freely given her cocaine then began making sexual demands in exchange for her drugs. Her addiction intensified and she turned to prostitution to finance her habit.

A network of buyers, dealers and addicts was in place for her to start selling her body to pay for its addiction.

Michelle said she isn't a "rat." She also said she's "kind of scared" for her personal safety because of the information she has disclosed.

Yellowknifer: How did you become part of the Yellowknife cocaine scene?

Eighteen months ago, after my father died I was at a party. These lines were spread right out in front of me.

I'd always told myself, "I'm never going to do coke." The guy who invited me to the party said, "Just do this -- it's way better than pot." So I tried it.

How old were the people you were using with?

I was 17. My friend was with me -- she's two or three years younger than me. The rest were these older Asian guys.

How did you get introduced to these older people?

Through a couple of my other friends. This one Chinese guy had invited them out for dinner, so they brought me with them. He bought us dinner and drinks at (a downtown restaurant). Then he took us back to his place -- with a beer and lots of pot. I went back to his place again after. Before I left, he said, "Call me if you ever want to party."

I didn't care where I partied as long it was free. He gave me coke and I just wanted more and more. The next time we were at his place, my friends and I did coke again for free but then I was told, "If you want more, if you want another rail, you have to come to the bedroom." I said, "No man." Then I just took off, man, just took off.

It's weird, you know. There's a month I really don't remember. Last December to February, I was partying everyday, all the time.

How were you getting your drugs? Cocaine is expensive.

Well, at first I didn't pay for it because my friends got it, right? It was given to us. Then after awhile, they'd go out to get cash and bring me along. Or I'd get money for doing other peoples' runs.

Why were you invited to use by these people?

We'd just go with them. I mean we'd look for it. I was on the streets and one of my girlfriends was into it so she knew where to get all the drugs and where I could sleep. She took care of me on the streets but she also got me into coke and things like free-basing.

Did you know you were becoming addicted to cocaine?

Oh yeah! Yeah (pause). The cravings were unbelievable. After I'd start coming down, I'd get really depressed and just want more. Even after not using for a day or two, I could smell it and taste it. I just wanted it so bad. It's powerful, man. So I'd eventually go look for it -- and find it.

How old were some of the women you were using with?

My age. Some of them were older and some of them were prostituting for cash.

What's the rate in Yellowknife for sexual services?

That depends on the buyer, I guess. It can go up to $800 from $150.

What sexual services are provided?

Usually, just 10, five minutes in bed.

For $800?

One of my friends did that and the guy didn't even have sex with her! He just held her for five minutes because he was lonely.

Where would you go looking for coke?

Everywhere. Once when I was upstairs at (a Yellowknife hotel) I met this black guy. He asked if I was working, you know, prostituting. And I was like, "No, I don't do that." He gave me this number and told me, "If you ever want to go to Vancouver, if you ever want to get out of this town, call me." He wanted to take me to Vancouver, like the next day! I saw him once after that -- a couple of days later at the mall and he said, "Why didn't you call me?"

What's in Vancouver?

I don't know. But he just said, "I'll take you out of this town. I'll take care of you."

Is that what you wanted?

Well, I wanted to leave. Oh yeah! But when I thought about it, I knew I'd probably never come back.

Did you think you had a lot of friends during this time?

The girls who took care of me, they call everyday so I know they're still there. One of them still uses coke once and awhile but I'm still friends with her. Everybody else, I know they're not around for me any longer.

When did you stop using cocaine?

In about the middle of April. I was so sick of walking home at 11 in the morning and wanting to do more, but not being able to have it or not having the money. I started to cry and I cried and I cried. I didn't want the feeling of not being able to go to sleep and the craziness.

What happened to your health during this time?

I lost lots of weight. When I'd do lines I could hear my nose crack and my head ... everything was crazy.

All the coke was just given to you?

No, it wasn't just given to us. For a rock (crack cocaine), we'd let the guy feel our tit or something. I'll admit, yeah, that I prostituted twice. Twice or three times. But that's because I just didn't care. I did it for the cash, you know, five minutes.

Sexual intercourse or performing oral sex?

No! No! Nothing with my mouth. I'd just lay there.

How did that make you feel about yourself and your body?

I didn't care. I'd get so ripped or drunk and I'd do it with my girlfriends. Then we'd all get our money together and score.

How much money did you get for prostituting yourself?

My most, three hundred for five minutes. One time I did it for a gram. The girl I was with was supposed to do it for the gram but the guy wanted me.

Do you still get approached by people using cocaine who are part of the scene you left last year?

Not for awhile. But people would be like, "Hey, I know where you can score. Five hundred for this guy in town who wants a good looking Chinese chick."

Why Chinese women?

The preferences of the different guys, like, some want native, Oriental, white. Usually, we'd go to a hotel room, spend five minutes or whatever with the guy. I'd never stay longer. Then he'd leave, my friends and I would score and we'd just party in the hotel room.

Who are these guys?

Some are from out of town, some live in Yellowknife. They're people you'd never think of. They're people I'd never think of! People you see around everyday.

Have you seen some of them since you left?

Yeah. I just say hi. They weren't mean, just lonely.

Did they know how old you were?

Yeah! Uh, no. I'd tell them I was 18, in case the cops busted in.

Didn't you find it strange that these men were interested in such young women?

Yeah, I thought it was weird. But I didn't care. I mean, they were paying so much. Why not? They were nice guys.

How did you take care of your personal safety with so much alcohol and drugs going around?

I don't know. I was always OK. If I didn't feel comfortable, I'd leave. I always had my girlfriends with me.