NCJ Number
192387
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: Fall 2001 Pages: 39-52
Date Published
2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the use and sales of methamphetamine drugs and crack cocaine by gang members used data from a national sample of 1,042 gang members from 22 sites in 7 States.
Abstract
The data came from the National Gang Crime Research Center’s Project GANGMILL. Results revealed that the percentage of gang members who used methamphetamine ranged from 0 percent in a Michigan juvenile detention facility to 38.5 percent in a California site and 50 percent at a Kansas juvenile detention facility. A total of 17.5 percent of male gang members and 27 percent of female gang members reported using methamphetamine. The rate of use was 5.4 percent for Black gang members, 22 percent for Native American Indian gang members, 24.7 percent for white gang members, 26.3 percent for Asian gang members, and 31.2 percent for Hispanic gang members. Some 38.4 percent of Hispanic gang members reported having sold methamphetamine, compared to 28 percent of white gang members, 36 percent of Asian gang members, 18.5 percent of Native American Indian gang members, and 17.2 percent of Black gang members. Results also revealed that only 8.8 percent of Black gang members reported ever using crack cocaine, compared to 23.9 percent of white gang members, 26.3 percent of Asian gang members, and 31 percent of Hispanic gang members. All racial and ethnic groups had high rates of selling crack cocaine, ranging from 70.3 percent among Native American Indian gang members to 87.9 percent of Black gang members. Results revealed a crossover effect for methamphetamine use and sales and indicated that sales of methamphetamine will disperse through gangs in different racial groups to the extent that sales of this drug continue to be an organizational enterprise. Tables