Some women apend over �1,000 per week on drugs

Commissioned by Medway Council, the study is part of a new campaign to reduce the number of prostitutes in the area.

The research was carried out over a period of three months and consisted of a questionnaire handed out by outreach workers.

Results revealed the average age of prostitutes based on the street was 25 but ages also ranged from 17 to 43 years old.

Costly habits

Of those asked 70% said they became involved with prostitution because of a drugs addiction with 75% saying being addicted prevented them from leaving it.

The average amount spent on drugs by the prostitutes asked was �405 although two women said their habit cost them more than �1,000 a week.

Heroin and crack-cocaine were the drugs most said they were addicted to but only a minority said they took part in shoplifting or burglary to pay for drugs.

Medway Council is to discuss the findings and to come up with ways to halt the problem.

Outreach services and drug treatment are two of the ways the authority is hoping to tackle prostitution.