Women on Ice: Methamphetamine Use Among Suburban Women

by Miriam Boeri

Methamphetamine (ice, speed, crystal, shard) has been called epidemic in the United States. Yet few communities were ready for increased use of methamphetamine by suburban women. "Women on Ice" is the first book to study exclusively the lives of women who use the drug and its effects on their families.In-depth interviews with women in the suburban counties of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. chronicle the details of their initiation into methamphetamine, the turning points into problematic drug use, and for a few, their escape from lives veering out of control. Their life course and drug careers are analyzed in relation to the intersecting influences of social roles, relationships, social/political structures, and political trends. Examining the effects of punitive drug policy, inadequate social services, and looming public health risks, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, the book gives voice to women silenced by shame.Boeri introduces new and developing concepts in the field of addiction studies and proposes policy changes to more broadly implement initiatives that address the problems these women face. She asserts that if we are concerned that the war on drugs is a war on drug users, this book will alert us that it is also a war on suburban families.

Genres: Addiction

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2013

Reviews

[Ffiefvoley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and horrifying ethnography of a sector of society that is universally derided. The experiences of these women was truly hard to read, so heartbreaking and hopeless in so many cases. Really appreciated this author shedding light on people who suffer from addiction to meth. It's more common than we realize and driven in part by the insane and unrealistic expectations we have of women in the US, that, unfortunately, doesn't seem to be getting any better as the years go by. I am curious if this is still abused at such a high rate by women in suburbia as depicted in this book, or if other drugs have taken its place.

[Anna Thrush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly interesting and eye opening. The way drugs can proliferate a community where women are expected to be superheroes, but are then blamed for their addiction when it was their addiction that made them a “superhero” for their children or their husbands. Really good read.

[Corey]

As a rule, I don't rate non-fiction I've been assigned for class as the point isn't to evaluate it's literary merit or even to enjoy it, but this was actually a fascinating read, and a very accessible text. Would recommend to friends.