Gang Involvement And Drug Use Theory

For years, gang crime has been loathed by society, as society has perceived it to threaten the well-being of its members. In addition to the fear of gang violence, concerns have been raised of gangs polluting youth; hence, policing strategies have emerged more increasingly in an attempt to put an end to the delinquency. Nevertheless, for society the causation of gang crime has been discussed to a lesser extent; thus, the objective of this essay will be to depict a viable explanation of gang crime through the use of two criminological theories. To accomplish the task at hand; I shall, define gang crime, provide a description of social disorganization theory, illustrate how the application of social disorganization theory provides an explanation of gang crime, describe differential opportunity theory, demonstrate how differential opportunity theory can explain gang crime, and exemplify as to which theory provides a superior explanation of gang crime. In the end, it will be clear that social disorganization theory is a superior explanation of gang crime in comparison to differential opportunity theory, due to its ability to deliver a more enhanced explanation than the one that is provided by differential opportunity theory.

The correlation between gangs and drugs has always been an issue for the United States government. Major cities often overlooked the problem of youth gang violence, thinking it was only a 1960’s trend. Sixty years later, gangs and drugs continue to be a problem, but in an increasing number within urban, suburban and rural areas in the United States. People may characterize this problem with words such as violence, increase drug activity, and delinquencies, but not many seem to see the bigger picture. Lack of interaction, collaboration, and strategies from law enforcement, youth centers, businesses, churches, and political icons are increasing gang violence and drug related offenses in major cities. In such cities as Chicago, minority groups are the most vulnerable to joining a gang, which then leads to an involvement with drugs; they are faced with barriers – lack of family support, poverty, segregation, unemployment, etc. An incident that happened in Chicago history is the closing of the Cabrini-Green Project, where people involved with gangs had to find a new home, scattering gang-members throughout the city, and eventually leading to their spread and growth.

The purpose of this paper is to understand, acknowledge and challenge communities to recognize gang behavior and gang affiliation. This paper will also describe the culture and what it means to be in a gang; key findings of the research; recommendations the community can employ to remedy the need; and discussions and implications for further study.

The findings show that out of a total number of 451 from the sample size of 939, only 11.1% of the respondents that reported drug use or sale of drugs were not affiliated with any type of gang. Whereas 488, 52% of the sample size of 939 were members of, or affiliated with gangs. Of that 488, more than three-quarters reported using or selling drugs (Katz et. al. 2005)In a study conducted to measure the effects of the background and characteristics offenders, we can see how this study supports Sutherland 's theory. This study shows that background characteristics not only help to explain patterns of offending but also serve as a basis as important predictors of types of offending (Armstrong and Britt 2004). This study looks at many different

A large number of studies suggest that gang-affiliation can be linked through shared risk factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (Sampson & Laub, 1993; Huff, 2002; BMC Medicine, 2014; Public Health England, 2015; Anda et al, 2005). Adverse childhood experiences are stressful occurrences during childhood that affect a child’s living environment (e.g. substance abuse, domestic violence etc.), or that directly affects a child (e.g. child malnourishment) (Public Health England, 2015). Experiences of this nature can increase the risk of obtaining detrimental behaviours, this is because they can have a major influence on a child’s social and emotional development; thus, leading to negative outcomes in later life (Bellis et al, 2014). Further,

Illicit drug consumption is closely associated with criminal behaviour. Crimes linked with illicit drug consumption include shoplifting, property crime, drug dealing, violence and aggression and driving will be intoxicated. The associated burdens on communities take account of medical, public health, and criminal-justice costs, as well as public disorder and property crime.

Trying to address the question of why youth join gangs requires the examination of multiple factors and multiple theories. Social disorganization theory explains that the place where an individual grows up matters – disordered neighborhoods lead youth to join gangs. Alternatively, labelling theory explains that the criminal label imposed by authorities and the state lead at-risk youth to join gangs. In this paper, I compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of two criminological theories to explain how poverty and gang-affiliated peers influence youth gang membership.   I argue that social disorganization theory can explain poverty, while labelling theory can explain gang-affiliated peers as reasons why youth join gangs.

A mixture of different ethnic groups based on social disorganization theory can be a factor for gang involvement. As stated above immigrant children have a harder adjustment to the education in Canada, simply because they don’t understand English and don’t speak English at home. In high school there are often a mixture of different ethnic groups, and usually the same group of people attract each other. Hence, when immigrants who are new to the country and are doing poorly in school, have a higher chance of joining a gang.

This paper discusses the gang activities in Grenville, NC. There are three main topics that include; 1) the history of gang activity. 2) Gang activity in today’s society. 3) Ways to eradicate gang activity within our community. To start what is the true definition of a gang and what is there purpose? A gang is an organized group of either friends or family with identifiable leadership claiming control over a community or territory. Gangs are driven by money, power, and opportunities to victimize enemies and the innocent to grow their criminal organization. Some anthropologists believe that the gang structure is one of the most ancient forms of human organization

This paper will demonstrate details within these elements of gang involvement, and the implications that arise within each influential motive. It is essential to investigate gang involvement, as it is common that many young individuals tend to join these deviant groups. To take the correct course of action, it is crucial to understand why young people enter gangs, so that steps can be taken to avoid or prevent future youth from joining gangs and getting into dangerous situations, thus, resulting in the depletion of harmful effects on

Gangs are partially responsible for drug distribution. “Most gangs specialize in one or more types of crime, including car theft, robbery, embezzlement, firearms sales, racketeering, and drug trafficking.”

There are many different statutes that a person can occupy whether it is ascribed, achieved or their master status. The main 6 statuses that are the most important to me are that I am caucasian, I am seventeen, a tennis player, a daughter, a student, and a employee. Everyone has a master status whether it is your religion or your gender, your master status is the status that most defines you. My master status is being female because that is what my other statues are based around and fall under. An ascribed status is a status that you are born with or something that you can not change, my ascribed statuses that are most important are being a daughter, being seventeen and being caucasian. An achieved status is a status that you eventually earn

I grew up where it was a lot of bad things happening in my city. I seen plenty of my friends lose their live at a young age. It’s not a pretty site tending a friend funeral that’s younger then you. Seeing everyone in the building cry is so wrong. Gangs where I’m from goes by what neighborhood you grew in. You not actually in it until you start hanging with the wrong people or repping your set like throwing up gang signs. I witness a couple of good people getting shot because they was at the wrong place and the wrong time. Gang violence is nothing to be proud of at all kids just need to have that come to Jesus speech in the room.

According to a recent study, 400,000 teens join and leave gangs each year (Pyrooz n.p.). Moreover, teenagers are responsible for 89 percent of the violent crimes in Denver (Teen Help n.p.). Teenagers are actively involved in gangs despite the pressure of law enforcement. This crisis is due to the developmental changes in their minds and the negative socio-cultural influences from society. Teenagers become increasingly susceptible to joining gangs due to insecurity and low self-concept.

Another crime associated with gangs is drug use and distribution. For people between the ages of 16 and 24 19.3% of them have taken an illegal drug. Also crimes