I disagree with smiley as I have worked with inner city youth are gang members and I have an Uncle who is a high ranking gang member and I've spent time trying to understand and learn the why's and how's.

Drug trade is the number one source of income for all gangs.

Perhaps in some countries that isn't the case, but in the USA it is.

In fact, one well known gang that is inside and outside of prison are so organized they are no longer considered a 'street gang' but an 'organized crime family' and they have two sources of income, drugs and murder.

I have a pal who I just spend 2 days with and he was in a street gang , and that is why he is locked up now. He looked me in the eyes and said he had all the tools to succeed, good home, wonderful mother, but he liked living on the edge, and once in he was simply too far gone too quick and well he caught a life sentence.

It all depends on who you talk to and what story you get, sometimes you get a sob story and sometimes you get the raw and unedited truth.

A research paper does not show statics , nor does it even touch on the core values of the gangs and the purpose or lack there of that they serve.

I learned sometimes you have to go to the source yourself, and that I have.

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