Gang Violence and Substance Abuse

Gangs in the United States are becoming more violent and deadly than

ever. Thousand of people are dying each year from these ill-mannered

thugs. In today's societies gang activity is an everyday occurrence

whether it includes violence, drugs, death or any illegal activity in

which they participate. The research that I have conducted will focus on

how the selling of drugs by gangs members can lead to violence/death and

how turf wars between rival gang can also lead to death.

In recent years the selling of drugs has increased in the world of gang

members. It is their primary economical way to acquire money to support

themselves and their family. In doing so, they are destroying people's

lives. Gang members will stop at nothing to sell their drugs for a

profit, even if it means that they have to hurt or kill someone. They

will sell drugs to anyone as long as they make their money.

A gang member must have street knowledge and have the skill to protect

themselves as well as their profit. This kind of activity is extremely

dangerous to others, innocent

bystanders and even the gang member themselves. There are many ways that

this activity is dangerous.

Gang members may front (give the customer some drugs in which they have

a certain time to repay the cost of the drugs back) the drug to a

customer whom they believe to be a loyal customer. This can be very

deadly if the customer

does not pay the gang member back. If the front is not repaid the gang

member or the whole gang will come looking for the person who owes

money. The gang members will hunt down and hurt or even go as far as

kill the person the first chance they get if the person is found. If

they can't find the person they will go the extra mile and threaten to

kill someone in the person family. They want to make it known that a

payment is due and soon.

If a gang or a member is jacked (drugs stolen, usually at gunpoint)from

another person, gang or junkie, it too is an automatic death sentence.

Gangs are always strapped (armed) and ready for anything that might go

wrong. Their number one priority is to preserve the drugs well being and

to alleviate their quantity of drug to make a profit. If a person

interferes with this process they are interfering

with their business. That means they have to suffer the consequences

that will follow from it.

While a gang is in the process of selling drugs they must be aware of

who they are selling it to. Gang member must have the expertise in

spotting an undercover cops or penitential crack head(junkie who will do

anything to get their fix). Most gangs do not like cops or as they would

call them pigs. If a cop is trying to break the gangs procedures in the

drug trade the police officer is a marked target (bulls eye for a

bullet). Junkies often try to pull a fast one to score(get the drug).

These people are desperate and will do any thing to get their fix. They

will rob and steal from a gang member. They know the consequence but

they still keep on trying. Their mind is so clouded from all the drug

abuse that they don't care whether they live or die trying to get the

drug. Junkies are like pest to a gang member. They are always bothering

them for a score. Gang member hate that and as a result they will knock

them off (kill them). It draws to much attention and when you draw

attention people are sure to come running over to see what going on,

especially cops.

In addition to gangs and how the selling of drug leads to death, gangs

as well as others die because of turf violation. Gangs have a specific

turf they hang out in. The turfs consist of streets, blocks and

hangouts. These turfs are well guarded and looked after and forbid

outsiders to enter unless they are a potential buyer for drugs. If any

member of a rival gang shall enter it is a ground for termination

(death). The turf is the gang's territory.

Gangs use the turfs for drug trafficking. That is one of the main

reasons why they do not like rival gang to enter. If the rival gangs

were to take over their turf they would eventually lose all of their

drug customers and that means no income. These turfs are vital for a

gang's survival.

If a gang or anyone else violate the norms of a