Transcript Gangs and Drugs

Gangs and Drugs
Threat to our National Security
Drugs and Gangs
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Drugs and Gangs are often mentioned in the
same sentence
Gangs have existed in nearly ever civilization
throughout recorded history
Street gangs probably started in our county in
Los Angeles at about the turn of the century.
Gangs and gang membership are both
decreasing, but the problem is perceived as
worsening.
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Gang: a group of individuals with a
recognized name and symbols who form
an allegiance for a common purpose and
engage in unlawful activity.
Between 1910 and 1925, a great influx of
immigrants arrived from Mexico.
They had a strong system of tradition and
became known as traditional gangs
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African American Gangs
Began as young high school “thugs” who
extorted money from students and
terrorized teachers
One gang, calling its self “Crips” had the
reputation of being the toughest gang in
Los Angeles.
Other gangs incorporated the work “Crip”
into their names.
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Rivalries developed and another group began to
get together for protection from attacks.
They called themselves “Compton Pirus” used
the term “blood brothers.”
Thus the division of the African American gangs
to Crips and Bloods
White Ethnic Gangs:
Composed primarily of European American
members.
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Neo-Nazi Skinheads are perhaps the best know
white ethnic gang
Members are militantly racist and advocate white
supremacy
They promote political change by instilling fear
in innocent people
Distinguishing characteristics of gangs include
leadership, organization, associational patterns,
domain identification and illegal activity
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Gangs and gang members might be
identified by their names; their symbols
(clothing, colors, emblems and tattoos);
how they communicate, including graffiti
and sign language; and their activities.
Gang names commonly refer to localities,
animals royalty and rebellion.
Graffiti is a common form of
communication used by gang members
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Sign language is also a common form of
communication among gang members.
People join gangs to “belong”
Other reasons for joining a gang
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Identity or recognition, protection, fellowship, and
brotherhood or to make money
Unemployment, poverty and general despair
lead young people to seek out economic
opportunities in the growing illegal marketplace,
often done within the context of gangs
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Family structure is probably the most
important risk factor in the formation of a
gang member.
Prosecution in gang related crimes are
difficult because:
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Victims and witness intimidation
Fear of reprisal
A sense of futility
Drugs
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In 1914 the federal government passed
the Harrison Narcotics Act, which made
the sale or use of a certain drug illegal
In the mid 1970’s the drug culture in the
US peaked
Narcotics are drugs that produce sleep,
lethargy or relief of pain and include
heroin, cocaine and crack
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Heroin is a commonly abused narcotic that
is most often injected.
Cocaine may be inhaled or injected,
producing euphoria, excitation, anxiety, a
sense of increased muscular, talkativeness
and reduced feelings off fatigue
Marijuana is the most socially accepted
illegal drug
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The most commonly observed drugs on
the street, in possession of users and
seized in drug raids are:
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Heroin
Opium
Morphine
Codeine
Crack/cocaine
marijuana
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Amphetamines:
Normal doses of amphetamine produce
wakefulness, increased alertness and
initiative, and hyperactivity
Large doses produce exaggerated feelings
of confidence, power and well-being
They may be talkative and experience
delusions and/or hallucinations
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Methamphetamine use frequently results
in violent and erratic behavior
Hallucinogens may produce distortion,
intensify sensory perception and lessen
the ability to discriminate between fact
and fantasy
Alcohol, a depressant, is the most widely
abused drug in the US
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Alcohol and illicit drug use is clearly linked
to criminal activity
The drug problem might be approached
with the following methods
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Crime control
Punishment
Rehabilitation
Prevention
Legalization