Substance Use in the Context of Human Trafficking
Claire Openshaw, PhD, LCPC | September 24 | 11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Topic: Healthcare, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Human trafficking refers to the exploitation of an individual using force, fraud, or coercion. Substance use, in the context of trafficking, is complicated. Traffickers are known to target individuals with mental health and substance use issues, which exacerbates an individuals’ vulnerability to being trafficked. Further, traffickers use substances as a means of coercion, mainly to get victims to comply with their demands, increase productivity, inhibit self-protection, decrease escape attempts, and continue entrapment (Zimmerman et al., 2011). Substances are also used by the victim as a means of coping with their unfathomable trauma. Substance misuse can have devastating results for trafficking victims, including addiction, overdose, self-harm, infections from needle use, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B/C, and brain or liver damage. Additionally, many victims are forced to engage in criminality, such as illicit drug production and transportation (U.S. Department of State, 2014), which may lead to involvement with the criminal justice system. Collectively, these factors increase the susceptibility of individuals being trapped in a life of exploitation, which will be explored throughout the presentation.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe the complex connection between human trafficking and substance misuse
· Identify how substance use makes individuals susceptible to being trafficked
· Discuss ways in which traffickers use substances to maintain entrapment
· Identify how victims are forced into criminality, regarding drug production and transportation