The majority of incarcerated women interviewed for this study were drug-dependent, under the influence of drugs at the time of the offence, and actively involved in the drug market in the form of buying or selling drugs. Women are more likely to attribute their offending to drugs, and more often begin drug use prior to offending, than male offenders. Risk factors for include early exposure to drug and alcohol problems by family members, incarceration as a juvenile, mental health problems, sexual and physical abuse, and use of prescription drugs.