Gangs and Drugs Threat to our National Security

Drugs and Gangs Drugs and Gangs are often mentioned in the same sentence Drugs and Gangs are often mentioned in the same sentence Gangs have existed in nearly ever civilization throughout recorded history 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. 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. Gangs and gang membership are both decreasing, but the problem is perceived as worsening.

Gang: a group of individuals with a recognized name and symbols who form an allegiance for a common purpose and engage in unlawful activity. 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. 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 They had a strong system of tradition and became known as traditional gangs

African American Gangs African American Gangs Began as young high school “thugs” who extorted money from students and terrorized teachers 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. 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. Other gangs incorporated the work “Crip” into their names.

Rivalries developed and another group began to get together for protection from attacks. Rivalries developed and another group began to get together for protection from attacks. They called themselves “Compton Pirus” used the term “blood brothers.” They called themselves “Compton Pirus” used the term “blood brothers.” Thus the division of the African American gangs to Crips and Bloods Thus the division of the African American gangs to Crips and Bloods White Ethnic Gangs: Composed primarily of European American members. White Ethnic Gangs: Composed primarily of European American members.

Neo-Nazi Skinheads are perhaps the best know white ethnic gang Neo-Nazi Skinheads are perhaps the best know white ethnic gang Members are militantly racist and advocate white supremacy Members are militantly racist and advocate white supremacy They promote political change by instilling fear in innocent people They promote political change by instilling fear in innocent people Distinguishing characteristics of gangs include leadership, organization, associational patterns, domain identification and illegal activity Distinguishing characteristics of gangs include leadership, organization, associational patterns, domain identification and illegal activity

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. 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. Gang names commonly refer to localities, animals royalty and rebellion. Graffiti is a common form of communication used by gang members Graffiti is a common form of communication used by gang members

Sign language is also a common form of communication among gang members. Sign language is also a common form of communication among gang members. People join gangs to “belong” People join gangs to “belong” Other reasons for joining a gang Other reasons for joining a gang Identity or recognition, protection, fellowship, and brotherhood or to make money 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 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

Family structure is probably the most important risk factor in the formation of a gang member. Family structure is probably the most important risk factor in the formation of a gang member. Prosecution in gang related crimes are difficult because: Prosecution in gang related crimes are difficult because: Victims and witness intimidation Victims and witness intimidation Fear of reprisal Fear of reprisal A sense of futility A sense of futility

Drugs In 1914 the federal government passed the Harrison Narcotics Act, which made the sale or use of a certain drug illegal 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 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 Narcotics are drugs that produce sleep, lethargy or relief of pain and include heroin, cocaine and crack

Heroin is a commonly abused narcotic that is most often injected. 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 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 Marijuana is the most socially accepted illegal drug

The most commonly observed drugs on the street, in possession of users and seized in drug raids are: The most commonly observed drugs on the street, in possession of users and seized in drug raids are: Heroin Heroin Opium Opium Morphine Morphine Codeine Codeine Crack/cocaine Crack/cocaine marijuana marijuana

Amphetamines: Amphetamines: Normal doses of amphetamine produce wakefulness, increased alertness and initiative, and hyperactivity Normal doses of amphetamine produce wakefulness, increased alertness and initiative, and hyperactivity Large doses produce exaggerated feelings of confidence, power and well-being Large doses produce exaggerated feelings of confidence, power and well-being They may be talkative and experience delusions and/or hallucinations They may be talkative and experience delusions and/or hallucinations

Methamphetamine use frequently results in violent and erratic behavior 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 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 Alcohol, a depressant, is the most widely abused drug in the US

Alcohol and illicit drug use is clearly linked to criminal activity Alcohol and illicit drug use is clearly linked to criminal activity The drug problem might be approached with the following methods The drug problem might be approached with the following methods Crime control Crime control Punishment Punishment Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Prevention Prevention Legalization Legalization