The controversial NGO -- which has been attacked by civil rights groups -- says it aims to ``offer aggressive preventative measures in regard to destructive drug pregnancies''.

Typically, women who have been sterilised have no health insurance, and come from poor backgrounds. Most have been, or still are, addicted to crack cocaine. Individuals arrange and pay for the procedure themselves, then have a form provided by CRACK signed by a doctor. They are then eligible to receive the $ 200 payment.

One long-term contraceptive option pushed by CRACK is Norplant: hormone-releasing capsules, inserted under the skin. Due to side effects such as vaginal bleeding and nausea, Norplant is banned in Britain. ``About 75per cent of the women choose tubal ligation (sterilisation),'' said Lin Alvarez, the assistant director of CRACK. ``These addicts really don't want children''. Respondents so far have all been women addicted to drugs, usually to crack cocaine. Men who agree to a vasectomy may also claim the $ 200.

CRACK say 51 women have so far been sterilised in five states. Twenty others have taken Norplant, Depo-Provera, or an intra-uterine device. The programme, funded by private donations, has so far paid addicts $ 13,800. The tax-deductible contributions range from $ 5 to $3,000, and due to recent publicity, the programme has raised more than $ 1,50,000.

The scheme is the brainchild of Barbara Harris, 48, a Californian housewife who has fostered four children born to a crack-addicted mother. She also wrotelegislation attempting to criminalise drug-addicted women who decided to have children. When Bill 2614 failed to pass in the Californian Assembly, Harris began promoting `cash for contraception'. Harris claims cashis the best way to influence addicts.

-- The Observer News Service