Studies also showed that the influence of the gang on levels of juvenile violence is greater than the influence of other highly delinquent peers. Substance abuse, drug trafficking, and gang membership appear to be related. The University at Albany, SUNY, study found that the 30 percent who reported being gang members accounted for 70 percent of the drug sales. In addition, they reported 63 percent of the instances of alcohol use and 61 percent of the instances of other drug use in this sample. In Washington, researchers also found that drug use and trafficking rates remained nearly as high after members left the gang as when they were active in it.
Gang activity is no longer just a big city problem.
Communities in rural areas need to be aware of indicators of gang activity and seriously assess their own gang problems. The Research Division is funding a national evaluator to conduct case studies and assist with evaluation planning. More programs must be established to reduce crime and target gangs and gang members. Efforts to reduce the overall level of crime in society will not work unless those efforts include effective gang prevention, intervention, and suppression programs. Communities need to take a localized, yet comprehensive approach in assessing their gang problem and developing strategies and solutions.