This bulletin addresses questions about the interrelatedness of youth gangs, drugs, and violent crime, discussing whether drug trafficking is a main cause of violence in youth gangs or only a correlate, and noting whether there are other important sources of gang violence. Section 1 presents a historical overview of gang drug use and trafficking,…

Focuses on one aspect of contemporary youth violence, youth gangs and groups, in effort to open broad discussion of youth gangs and frame the process of developing a comprehensive prevention/intervention strategy in proyouth way. Examines three ways of framing youth gang phenomenon: youth violence as racism, alienation, and criminality. Considers…

This booklet is concerned with the issue of youth gangs. A brief introduction provides examples of gang violence and notes that juvenile gangs are not just a problem in large metropolitan areas, but are being established in communities nationwide. Following this introduction is a series of questions and answers about gangs. Questions focus on what…

Results of this study indicate that violent offenses are more likely committed by youths acting alone. Nonviolent offenses are more likely committed in groups. Of female delinquencies, 57 percent were committed in groups. (Author)

Reports a followup interview with a former street gang leader first interviewed eight years before. Restates his earlier endorsement of the economic or differential opportunity model of crime causation. Maintains that the advantages of work are not evident to most urban youths and improved employment opportunities are needed. (Author/JAC)

Examines issues of gangs and youth violence. Provides statistics and other information on weapons in schools, crime in schools, gang effects on truancy and dropout rates, gang activity, appeal of membership, recruitment, ethnic groups, new gang types (white Supremist and "stoner" gangs and Satanic cults), preventive efforts, and community…

This report represents the findings of a study on violence by youth gangs in 12 major American cities, and deals with the following topics: (1) the rationale and methods for a national survey of youth gangs; (2) the existence and seriousness of the problem of youth gangs in 12 major American cities; (3) the size and scope of the youth gang…

This document presents witness testimonies and prepared statements from a Senate hearing held in Atlanta, Georgia to examine the problem of crime among youth and to discuss the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. In his opening statement, Senator Fowler notes that the reauthorization puts greater…

Reports results of a survey administered to the general public in a large midwestern city on public perceptions of youth gang crime. The 306 residents (aged 14 years and over) of Indianapolis (Indiana) surveyed generally feel that youth gang crime is more serious in areas other than their own. (SLD)

Provides a history of youthful offenders and society's efforts at rehabilitation and punishment. Traces the development of correctional institutions from their early days in England to the current efforts involving intervention and prevention. Includes photographs, historical and contemporary statistics, and tabular data. (MJP)

A House subcommittee hearing held in DeKalb, Illinois, received testimony on drug abuse problems among young people in small towns and rural areas. Personal experiences of drugs and their effects on young people were described in statements from the mother of a victim of drug-related violence, a former drug dealer, a former drug user and gang…

Massive social upheaval, families' failure to provide a supportive milieu, and the schools' failure to instill an appreciation of education has contributed to large numbers of black street children in South Africa. This exploratory study analyzed the problem of street children in the Durban municipal area in South Africa, providing a social…