Gang Violence and Substance Abuse Essay Example

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