By definition, prostitution isn't something we generally associate with teenagers when we think about drugs and our kids. Prostitution is the sale or exchange of sex for something; usually money, food, shelter, or drugs and in some cases all of the above.

Prostitution breeds a vicious cycle amongst those who fall into its trap. Many teenage girls turn to prostitution either in order to get their drugs, or because they have been lied to. These girls may have been abused, have a drug addiction, suffer from depression, or any combination of those characteristics or others.

According to Adults Saving Kids (ASK), a runaway is approached within 48 hours of being on the street to become involved in either prostitution or selling drugs. These children may feel guilty, ashamed, dirty, unlovable, and/or hopeless, and they are hurting. A feeling of "Why not? I am not good for anything," causes a vicious cycle of drugs and prostitution in order to have the money to pay for the drug addiction to repeat itself over and over.¹