The drugs-violence nexus among Mexican-American gang members

Adolescent Gangs: Substance Misuse and Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences

Objective: Adult gang members have higher substance misuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) prevalence than non-gang involved individuals. The authors aimed to understand UK gang membership demographics and estimate substance misuse and ACE prevalence among a community-based sample of children and young people (CYP) contrasting three groups; gang members, periphery and non-gang involved.Method: The authors used the 2006 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) cross-sectional dataset, containing gang involvement, ACE exposure and substance misuse data, sampling 2,443 individuals aged 13-17 years. Gang membership was self-identified. Gang periphery was CYP identifying as gang involved according to the Eurogang Youth survey questionnaire, but not self-identifying as members. Other CYP were non-gang involved.Results: Gang periphery participants were significantly more likely to misuse all substance types than non-gang involved CYP. The substance misuse likelihood was greatest for gang peripherals, then members, then non-gang involved. Gang periphery and members were significantly more likely to have been a victim of serious assault, less serious assault, any assault, any violence and to have committed any violent act in the last year than non-gang involved.Conclusions: This is the first study comparing ACE exposure and substance misuse prevalence among the UK, community-based CYP sample. Current research highlights younger children with complex needs, including girls, risk gang involvement and requires tailored support to enable safe exit from gangs. Factors relating to gang involvement, ACEs and substance misuse are interlinked and complex, demanding a holistic approach to support across education, children's social services, health and criminal justice settings.

Trayectoria de una joven reclusa en relación con el consumo de drogas y condicionamientos de género

Este texto se propone analizar aspectos socioculturales en relación con la trayectoria de consumo habitual de sustancias psicoativas de una joven reclusa. La joven se encontraba en un centro de reclusión para menores en Medellín, donde se realizaron entrevistas y observación participante. Se evidenció la importancia de aspectos relativos al género como elemento protector y también de riesgo. Finalmente, se presentan algunos elementos relativos al proceso de desintoxicación mientras cumplía su sanción en internamiento.

Gender Dynamics of Violent Acts among Gang Affiliated Young Adult Mexican American Men

This chapter examines how gender dynamics shape violent acts among Mexican American young adult males with a history of adolescent gang membership. We use the concept of hegemonic masculinity to examine the various ways that gender is performed in acts of violence (Connell, 1995). Masculinity is not a fixed entity or individual personality traits, masculinities are “configurations of practice that are accomplished in social action and, therefore, can differ according to the gender relations in a particular setting” (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005:836). In other words, “gender identity is never a completed project, but always a developmental process which unfolds within a social context” (Messner, 1990:209). Nevertheless, the tendencies for aggression and violence are central to what it means to be masculine (Messerschmidt, 2000; Crowley, Foley et al., 2008) because “real men” must show others that they are not afraid (Kimmel, 2010). We examine the unfolding of masculine identity among disadvantaged Mexican American men in two different yet related contexts: violent acts with other men and the retelling of these violent acts. Among disadvantaged men, in general, social class is central to masculinity because these men are likely to have limited options in accomplishing their masculinity compared to men with more advantages (Britton, 2011; Messerschmidt, 1993; Stretesky & Pogrebin, 2007). The type of masculinity expressed by Mexican American males, more specifically, varies depending on a constellation of variables related to social class including income, generational status, education, and association with the criminal justice system (Rios, 2011; Valdez, 2007).

From "Kickeando las malias" (kicking the withdrawals) to "Staying clean": The impact of cultural values on cessation of injection drug use in aging Mexican-American men

Drug use among older adults is a growing concern, particularly for the burgeoning Hispanic population. Older adults seeking drug treatment will double over the next decade to almost 6 million. Cultural factors influence drug use, and more specifically, Hispanic cultural values influence heroin use. This study explored Mexican-American injection drug users' adherence to traditional Hispanic cultural values and their impact on cessation. Ethnographic interviews endorsed contextualized influences of values on heroin use. Cultural values functioned dichotomously, influencing both initiation and cessation. Understanding the impact of cultural values on substance abuse is critical given the changing demographics in American society.

The Drugs–Violence Nexus

Research on drug use often fails to account for drug dealing in most analyses of violence and other systemic risks associated with illegal drugs. The current study examined whether drug dealing, independent of its connection to drug use, increases involvement with delinquent peers, violence, weapons, and other drug-related conflicts. Data were drawn from the first two waves of the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study ( N = 1,148). Hierarchical linear models were used to investigate changes in these behaviors that resulted from the respondents’ involvement in drug dealing and drug use. Results indicate that involvement in drug dealing, controlling for drug use, increases violence and other systemic risks to a level that drug use alone is not likely to achieve. Findings also show, however, that drug use among dealers may reduce violence and limit contact with delinquent peers.

Substance Use Among Gang Member Adolescents and Young Adults and Associations With Friends and Family Substance Use

PROBLEM

Gang membership is an indicator of chronic substance use. Social network studies indicate that substance use in youth is related to substance use in friends and family; however, no such analyses among gang youth have been conducted.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted with a sample of young gang members (n = 60) in Los Angeles. Univariate analyses were conducted.

FINDINGS

Cigarette use in gang members was strongly associated with cigarette use in friendship networks. There were no associations for use of alcohol and marijuana.

CONCLUSIONS

Few associations emerged between substance use in participants and their friends/family. Possible explanations for these findings are presented.

Drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents in a rural farming community in Baja California, Mexico

We examined drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents of a migrant farming community in rural Baja California, Mexico. In October 2010, 164 members of a single colonia (community) underwent an interviewer-administered survey to assess 'exposure to gang violence' and 'drug-scene familiarity', as well as other health indicators. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of exposure to gang violence. Overall, 20% of participants were male, the median age was 27 years, 24% spoke an indigenous language, 42% reported exposure to gang violence and 39% reported drug-scene familiarity. Factors independently associated with exposure to gang violence included being younger (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.80 per 5-year increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.67-0.96), living in the community longer (AOR=1.47 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.11-1.72), higher educational attainment (AOR=1.70 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.07-1.12) and drug-scene familiarity (AOR=5.10, 95% CI=2.39-10.89). Exposure to gang violence was very common in this community and was associated with drug-scene familiarity, suggesting a close relationship between drugs and gang violence in this rural community. In a region characterised by mass migration from poorer parts of Mexico, where drugs and gangs have not been previously reported, emerging social harms may affect these communities unless interventions are implemented.

Assessing the Impact of Drug Use and Drug Selling on Violent Offending in a Panel of Delinquent Youth

Despite a vast number of empirical studies arguing for or against a causal relationship between illegal drug use and selling and violent behavior, the debate continues. In part this is due to methodological weaknesses of previous research. Using data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, the current study seeks to improve on prior research designs to allow for a more precise examination of the mechanisms that lead from an individual's drug use (chiefly, marijuana use in the current sample) and drug selling to violent action. Results will allow for greater confidence in making causal inference regarding a long-standing concern in the discipline.

Gang youth, substance use, and drug normalization

Gang membership is an indicator of chronic substance use. Evidence from North America and Europe indicates that gang youth, in comparison to their non-gang peers, are more likely to report alcohol and illicit drug use (Bendixen, Endresen, & Olweus, 2006; Gatti, Tremblay, Vitaro, & McDuff, 2005; Gordon, et al., 2004; Hall, Thornberry, & Lizotte, 2006; Sharp, Aldridge, & Medina, 2006). Qualitative studies focusing specifically on gang members have also noted high frequencies of lifetime rates of use for a variety of illegal substances (De La Rosa, Rugh, & Rice, 2006; Hagedorn, Torres, & Giglio, 1998; Hunt, Jo-Laidler, & Evans, 2002; Mata et al., 2002; Valdez, Kaplan, & Cepeda, 2006). Gang youth, however, have differential attitudes towards the use of various illegal drugs. Marijuana, for instance, has remained a staple within gang culture, but the use of other drugs has been heavily stigmatized, especially heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine (MacKenzie, Hunt, & Joe-Laidler, 2005; Moore, 1978; Taylor, 1990; Waldorf, 1993). Perspectives with good explanatory power should be flexible enough to elucidate these distinctions regarding illicit substance use patterns and preferences.

[Drugs use as a cultural practice within gangs]

Today, the social phenomenon of drugs trafficking and violence related to drugs has tended to minimize the implications of drugs consumption in gangs. This article is based on in-depth interviews in young gangs in the metropolitan area of Nuevo León, Mexico, with a view to reflecting on and analyzing the drug as a cultural practice within gangs. In the search for meaning, the first thing that is shown is the beginning of gang members in drugs consumption, and the form how drugs are presented by family members and friends of the gang is described. Next, we described the meaning of drugs use in everyday life and show the extent to which drugs use is acceptable and normalized.

Putting in work: qualitative research on substance use and other risk behaviors among gang youth in Los Angeles

Gang youth are notoriously difficult to access for research purposes. Despite this difficulty, qualitative research about substance use among gang youth is important because research indicates that such youth use more substances than their nongang peers. This manuscript discusses how a small sample of gang youth (n = 60) in Los Angeles was accessed and interviewed during a National Institute of Drug Abuse-funded pilot study on substance use and other risk behaviors. Topics discussed include the rationale and operationalization of the research methodology, working with community-based organizations, and the recruitment of different gang youth with varying levels of substance use.