Essay - Gang Violence and Drugs This Is A Paper About Gang...

Gang Violence and Drugs

This is a paper about gang violence, focusing on drug-related violence committed by **********. It attempts to analyze the major causes behind such violence and whether the trend the trend of gang ***** ***** on the increase. The communities and demographic population in which such violence is most likely to occur is also discussed besides looking at certain possible ways of preventing or lessening gang *****.

***** disturbing phenomenon of gang violence in the inner American cities has been a m*****jor concern ***** parents, communities, and ***** law-enforcing agencies for many years. Of late, several studies indicate that the nature of gang ***** ***** changed, with lethal violence being more likely related to the drug trade than to ***** rivalries. One such study shows ***** drug ***** violence represents between a third ***** half of all gang violence. (Hagedorn, 1997). The reasons ***** ***** a trend are multifarious and linked ***** the ***** of youth gang culture. It is essential to take a brief look at these ***** be*****e we can ***** and discuss some of the ways by ***** *****-rel*****ed ***** violence can be controlled.

Most experts and psychologists equate gangs ***** surrogate family units. Many young people find a sense of belonging, acceptance, and attention by becoming members of a g*****ng—needs which are not met in their families. Witness*****g of domestic violence, sexual abuse or neglect at home also perpetuates violent behavior. Other causes are peer pressure, low self-esteem, intimidation by gang ***** ***** even boredom. Add to this the attraction ***** profits from drug-trafficking, ********** and robbery, and the spiraling gang violence becomes a logical outcome of the existing social conditions in our cities. What is more, contrary to popular belief, ***** are ***** just restricted ***** youths from disadvantaged, low-income *****as. Nor do they consist ***** African-Americans only—they represent all racial and ethic groups. ("Gang Awareness," n.d.). Hence, the potential negative effects of ***** violence are far more serious ***** widespread than was previously assessed.

Having established that gangs and violence ***** inter-related, we will ********** try to see how drugs are related ***** violent acts by gangs. It does not ***** a whole lot of research to conclude that it is the illegal nature of the drug trade which promotes violence. Because ***** the absence of legal controls of ***** markets, gang members use illicit means, including violence, to control cus*****mers, to defend market share, ***** to keep employees in line. Il***** business has al***** been the direct cause ***** violence. Remember ***** hay days of gang wars, mafia and Al Capone during the years following the prohibition?

Some ***** indicate ***** drug-use ***** widespread among ***** of most youth *****s *****though not ***** gang members use drugs and ***** degree of drug use varies greatly. Certain *****s such as Amphetamines ***** Cocaine are known to promote violent behavior; hence drug use among ***** members can also be cited as one of the reasons for gang violence. It has been observed