doi:10.7916/d8-t05x-qz24Oral history interview with Stella, 1981Stellaoral historiesmixed materialDrug addicts--United StatesImprisonment--United StatesDrug abuse--History--20th century.--United StatesHeroin abuse--History--20th century.--United StatesDrug addicts--Rehabilitation--United StatesMethadone maintenance--History--20th century.--United StatesDrugs--PrescribingProstitution--History--20th century.--United StatesStellaIn this interview, Stella discusses her life in New York City, with a focus on her drug use. She describes living in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum from the age of three to fifteen. She discusses being introduced to marijuana, Tuinals, and heroin at the age of eighteen through her coworkers and clients at the beauty shop where she worked in downtown Manhattan. She explains how she became involved in sex work in order to finance her addiction. She describes using Dilaudid during World War II, when there was a shortage of heroin. She reviews her arrest history, and describes her experience being incarcerated at the Women's House of Detention. She discusses her attempts to detox from drugs at various hospitals throughout her three decade long addiction. Facilities included: Morrisania Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, Lexington Kentucky Hospital, and the Morris J. Bernstein Institute. She explains her struggle with alcoholism and liver disease. She delves into her experience joining the methadone program, and the challenges being a methadone patient has posed to her employment options