"People sniff cocaine and smoke crack. No injections needed."
Untrue. Diluting coke in water and injecting the mixture is, or was, at least, a not-uncommon high some years ago. David Carr, a writer for the NY Times who has chronicled his battle with drugs and alcohol, said in an interview once that one reason crack cocaine became so prevalent is that it inexpensively achieves, by smoking, the rush that previously was only available by injecting coke directly into the bloodstream.
Alas, I have some experience with the former, which is likely the reason I also have experience with Hep C treatment. The article referenced earlier states the SOC treatment of interferon and ribavarin works by boosting the immmune system, which is entirely false. As was explained to me pre-treatment, the interferon attacks the existing viral infection, and the ribavarin prevents the virus from replicating. At least in theory.
I know for a fact that my white blood count, (red too for that matter) dropped by 25% by the 3rd week of treatment. No, the immune system does not strengthen with that chemo.
And your suggestion that prostitution is a risk factor for Hep C is inaccurate in that the infection is not transmitted sexually. (I think Type B might be, however. Could be wrong.)
Lead