Gang Drug Use

 

From the Final Report of the Drug Posse and Homegirl Studies:

 

Gang involvement is a major risk factor for drug use, but the reasons for adult and adolescent drug use differ. Cocaine use is a major problem for male and female gang members, as it is in the neighborhoods where gangs persist, the city as a whole, and the suburbs.

 

 

 

Gang Substance Use versus National Averages

MALES

1988 U. S. Population

Average

African American National Average(M)

Milwaukee African American.

Gang

Latino: National Average

Milwaukee

Latino

Gang

% ever used alcohol

89.50%

83.30%

71.93%

86.60%

92.86%

% ever used marijuana

36.90%

41.40%

89.50%

34.20%

82.70%

% ever used cocaine

13.10%

13.40%

50.90%

13.90%

69.90%

FEMALES

1988 U. S. Population

Average

African American National Average (F)

Milwaukee African American.

Gang

Latina: National Average

Milwaukee

Latina

Gang

% ever used alcohol

80.80%

71.70%

88.90%

72.10%

88.00%

% ever used marijuana

29.70%

26.50%

83.33%

21.70%

82.00%

% ever used cocaine

8.50%

5.90%

38.88%

8.10%

46.00%

Mean age Milwaukee Males and Females = 28. National data from 1988 NIDA National Household Survey. In 1988 most Milwaukee gang members were at the end of their teenage years.

A higher percentage of white gang members were users of cocaine than African American gang members. This is consistent with NIDA household surveys which find that rates of cocaine use are higher among whites than minorities in the population at large. Drug use is widespread among both male and female gang members, although not all gang members use drugs nor use them to the same degree.

 

"Serious" Cocaine Use by Gang Members

Cocaine Use

Males

Females

Never Used

37.7% (34)

64.4% (47)

Occasional Use

25.5% (23)

16.4% (12)

Serious Use

36.6% (33)

19.2% (14)

Totals

N= 90

N=73

Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding

 

 

Cocaine use, for some male and female gang members appears to be more of a problem for adults than for teenagers. Drug use for most teenage gang members did not appear to be related to severity of family troubles and was more related to peer group partying. Adult drug use appeared to be more related to the lack of opportunity and stresses of adult life, particularly employment and family problems. Latinas and Latinos appear to be at greater risk for serious drug abuse than African Americans.