This will tell you where I was and where I am now. I started using crystal methamphetamine, also known as known “TIK,” when I was 27 years old. I had recently lost my mother, who meant the world to me and was my everything. My mother’s death seemed like the center of my universe had been taken from my heart… Read More »My name is Natalie Jacobs, and this is my experience as a substance user.
I am sharing my story in the hopes that it can shed some light on the complicated relationship between sexual trauma and drug use, and how women who use drugs support each other in navigating this. I was in a sexually abusive relationship from the age of 15 to 18. The relationship didn’t start with abuse and assault, but it… Read More »INWUD Narcofeminist Blog Post – Anonymous
Diminished sense of self, dependency, deteriorating health, and delipidated contact with reality – the overwhelming feeling that came rushing subsequent to when I questioned my life choices. That unwinnable rationalization in my head between internalized stigma and empathy for self. In February 2020, I got enrolled in a master’s program as a young woman in her twenties becoming a psychologist… Read More »Accepting vulnerabilities – breaking free of emulated standards that demarcate us.
I recently watched a lecture from Kristen J Sollee’s on her book Witches, Sluts and Feminists. I first thought she was preaching to me, the converted. Already a feminist academic who appreciates scholarly research into the demonisation of women and our sexuality. What was this ‘witch feminism?’ Why does that sound so appealing? I come from a long line ofstrong… Read More »Junkies, sluts and feminists: where are we in the witch legacy?
“I don’t want a woman who takes drugs.” Over the past 10 years of being a drug user, I have come to anticipate and expect this statement. Either from a man I’m dating, or from one who feels the need to tell me anyway. What’s always interesting is that 9 out of 10 times, the person who has said this… Read More »Owning My Pleasure – Jessica Spratt
My name is Charne Roberts , I’m so happy to be alive today, and so blessed to have three beautiful sons. But let me tell you how I nearly seized to exist. You know we live in a world where society has all these negative views of Crystal meth, but today I would like to change the narrative and let… Read More »THE GREAT ESCAPE: How Crystal meth saved my life
I am a drug user. An illicit drug user. Admitting it takes courage, even to myself. You see, I live in a predominantly Catholic country, a very conservative one at that. To openly talk about my drug use is an act of great personal bravery. If given a choice, I would rather keep it to myself to prevent judgement from… Read More »Don’t Panic! We’re All Just Looking for Something to Fill the Void.
Being a woman who uses drugs is tough, it does not matter which country you come from or the colour of your skin or even how well spoken you may be society has made us out to be an evil bunch that does not deserve to live amongst the rest of humanity. In my opinion, this is all due to… Read More »STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION HAVE NO PLACE IN MY LIFE
The International Network of Women who Use Drugs (INWUD) is excited to announce the top three winners of the Narcofeminism Blog Competition “Our bodies, Our choice, Our rights, Our voice” 1st Prize Emily Arnold, Junkies, sluts and feminists: where are we in the witch legacy? 2nd Prize Jessica Spratt, Owning My Pleasure 3rd Prize Violet Maodi, Stigma and discrimination have… Read More »Women assert their voices in conversations about drug use.
Meaningful community engagement is essential for people who use drugs to influence funding request – Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 Guide The Global Fund Strategy 2023-2028 places community leadership at its front and centre. To achieve this, it promotes investments in community-led responses including community-led monitoring. It also highlights the need to increase funding for community-led organisations, particularly those led… Read More »Community engagement – Global Fund Grant Cycle 7