Sex for drugs
Teen sees girls lured into selling their bodies for drugs

by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 27/97) - They are known as coke sluts.

The girls are recruited by at least one teen who shows them where and to whom they can sell sex for money and drugs, according to a 19-year-old who's seen more than a few lured into the cocaine scene.

Linda, not her real name, said that the girls are promised money and a better life. "When you have crappy parents who are probably alcoholics, it's a way out," she said.

Without revealing her true identity, Linda felt free to comment on the situation that goes on -- and has been going on for years -- with young girls in the city. She reinforces, and gives more credibility, to many of the claims made in the accompanying interview with one of those Yellowknife girls.

"They get girls 11 or 12 -- they don't care how old you are as long as you've got tits. And there are a lot of girls who are doing it."

Linda said about 40 young girls in the Yellowknife area are supporting their drug habits through prostitution.

"It doesn't matter if you're ugly, beautiful, fat or skinny," she said. "Just as long as you're dumb enough to fall for it."

Much of what is going on, she said, is linked to the cocaine trade.

Linda said this has gone on long enough in Yellowknife, and has decided to speak out in hopes of raising awareness about the problem.

"It really hurts me to see girls who are 14 just go into it," she said.