Appendix F -- Section 3: Reduce Youth Involvement With Guns, Drugs, and Gangs
Introduction | Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5
Section 6 | Section 7 | Section 8 | ConclusionAbdullah, C.S., and S.R. Joseph. 1994. Kids and Guns: A Deadly Equation. Miami, Fla.: Dade County Public Schools. NCJ 160052.
This publication presents an educational program and curriculum designed to prevent handgun injuries and deaths among children. Students are instructed how to analyze potentially dangerous situations and to respond to them without violence. The book includes classroom strategies and followup activities.
Achilles Program. 1995 (September). Washington, D.C.: Firearms Enforcement Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), U.S. Department of the Treasury. NCJ 158834.
This booklet provides an overview of the Achilles Program, ATF's national firearms strategy that focuses the Bureau's resources in communities with the most serious levels of gun-related violence and uses firearms statutes to incarcerate offenders with lengthy mandatory sentences.
Addressing Violent Crime in Public Housing Developments. 1994. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. NCJ 158835.
This report discusses strategies to target violent crime in public housing, including community involvement and enforcement. It explains HUD and ATF cooperative training and funding efforts and includes a case study of enforcement efforts in Chicago, IL, public housing.
Adolescent Drug Use Prevention: Common Features of Promising Community Programs. 1992. Washington, D.C.: U.S. General Accounting Office. NCJ 139051.
This document analyzes the design, implementation, and results of promising community-based drug abuse prevention programs for adolescents. All programs contain six key features: a comprehensive strategy; an indirect approach to drug use prevention; youth empowerment; youth participation; cultural sensitivity; and highly structured activities.
Advocacy Institute. 1994. Toward a Gun-Safe Society: Movement Building Strategies. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of Pediatrics. NCJ 158057.
This report was developed by health professionals, children's advocates, and others to review the gun safety movement. Issues include crime control, prevention of firearm injury, and safety from violence. The report advocates a legislative strategy to define and mobilize the gun safety movement.
Aguilar, T.E., and W.W. Munson. 1992 (Spring). Leisure education and counseling as intervention components in drug and alcohol treatment for adolescents. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education 37(3):23-34. NCJ 137954.
Evidence from the social psychology of leisure and recreation suggests a strong association between negative leisure experiences and substance abuse among adolescents. In this article, the authors propose the incorporation of leisure and education counseling in drug treatment programs.
Allen-Hagen, B., M. Sickmund, and H. Snyder. 1994 (November). Juveniles and Violence: Juvenile Offending and Victimization. Fact Sheet #19. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ FS009419.
See introduction for annotation.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Adolescence. 1992. Firearms and adolescents. Pediatrics 89(4):784-787. NCJ 159315.
This article identifies major issues about adolescent firearm use. The authors encourage a multifaceted approach to adolescent firearm use that includes more restrictive legislative and regulatory measures; a health care focus on creating gun-safe homes; identification of children at risk and referral to appropriate services; development of community-based coalitions to address the broader needs of public education; school curriculums that provide violence prevention lessons; and increased research on the precursors and correlates of firearm injuries and deaths among children and adolescents.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention. 1992. Firearm injuries affecting the pediatric population. Pediatrics 89(4):788-790. NCJ 159316.
This article proposes prevention strategies in the areas of firearm design, regulation, product liability actions, public and parent education, and legislative measures.
American Academy of Pediatrics. 1989. Report of a Forum on Firearms and Children. Elk Grove, Ill. NCJ 159314.
This report details the forum's adoption of the long-term goal of banning handguns, assault rifles, and deadly airguns and the short-term goal of developing safer guns. The report also recommends coalitions of public health groups, victims' families, gun control groups, police, and others.
American Psychological Association. 1993. Violence and Youth: Psychology's Response. Washington, D.C. NCJ 147390.
This report addresses violence committed by juveniles using firearms. It recommends a comprehensive program of psychological services, education, community involvement, alcohol and other drug prevention programs, and additional research to control the juvenile violence problem.
Bahr, S.J., et al. 1993 (June). Family and religious influences on adolescent substance abuse. Youth and Society 24(4):443-465. NCJ 143207.
This article documents research based on social control and social learning theories and examines whether there are correlations between adolescent substance abuse and family and religious factors.
Becker, T.M., L. Olson, and J. Vick. 1993 (February). Children and firearms: A gunshot injury prevention program in New Mexico. American Journal of Public Health 83(2):282-283. NCJ 159318.
This article states that health professionals should become involved in gun safety counseling, education programs, and legislative efforts geared toward reducing the number of loaded firearms in the home. Cooperative efforts should also be organized on the State or regional level.
Benson, C. 1990 (August). Gang diversion. Law and Order 38(8):66-68. NCJ 125609.
This article describes Citizens Helping Austin Neighborhood Gang Environment (CHANGE), a gang-diversion program established in 1989 by the police department and concerned citizens of Austin, TX. The program has successfully involved juveniles, parents, churches, and community-based organizations in an effort to reduce gang violence and graffiti.
Bjerregaard, B., and C. Smith. 1993 (December). Gender differences in gang participation, delinquency, and substance use. Journal of Quantitative Criminology 9(4):329-355. NCJ 147908.
This paper addresses female gang participation, its causes, and its consequences. Rochester Youth Development Study data are used to compare gang participation and delinquent involvement of female and male adolescents.
Blackman, P.H. 1994. Children and Guns: The NRA's Perception of the Problem and Its Policy Implications (paper presented at the American Society of Criminology, Miami, Fla., November 9-12, 1994). NCJ 159319.
This paper summarizes the National Rifle Association's (NRA) perception of the issues surrounding children and guns, including regulations governing access and misuse of firearms by minors. The NRA denies a relationship between legal gun ownership and increases in gun-related youth violence.
Blumstein, A. 1994. Youth Violence, Guns, and the Illicit-Drug Industry. Pittsburgh, Pa.: Carnegie Mellon University. NCJ 157411.
This age-specific analysis shows the increasing incidence of firearm homicides among youth. The author develops a "diffusion" hypothesis to explain the increase. He reasons that as juveniles become involved in the drug trade, they acquire firearms because of the danger of the enterprise. In turn, other youth obtain firearms for their own protection. Increased violence may also be exacerbated by the problems of high levels of poverty, single-parent households, educational failures, and a widespread sense of economic hopelessness.
Brent, D.A., J.A. Perper, and C. Allman. 1987. Alcohol, firearms, and suicide among youth: Temporal trends in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 1960-1983. Journal of the American Medical Association 275:3369-3372. NCJ 159320.
This article demonstrates that the presence of firearms in the home is associated with the increased risk of adolescent suicides. It concludes that physicians should recommend that firearms be removed from the homes of at-risk adolescents.
Bringing Up a Drug-Free Generation: How Communities Can Support Parents. 1992 (September). Washington, D.C.: National Crime Prevention Council. NCJ 139327.
This booklet suggests things that community leaders can do to help parents raise drug-free children and gives examples of ways in which these ideas are already at work around the country.
Bruce, B. 1994 (October). Armed and juvenile. Police 18(10):62-64, 112-113. NCJ 152189.
This article describes techniques and programs police can use to address the increasing possession and use of firearms by juveniles.
Building Resiliency: What Works; A Community Guide to Preventing Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Through Positive Youth Development. 1994. Washington, D.C.: National Assembly of National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations. NCJ 149115.
This manual guides professionals and community leaders in the development of community-based programs that help prevent juvenile abuse of alcohol and other drugs. It asserts that negative behaviors can be prevented if youth are guided in developing positive behaviors and interests.
Butterfield, G.E., and J.L. Arnette, eds. 1989. Weapons in Schools. Malibu, Calif.: National School Safety Center. NCJ 121807.
This resource paper describes the nature and extent of problems associated with weapons in schools and discusses strategies for dealing with these problems, such as training educators in weapon identification and detection; providing adequate supervision both in and outside the classroom; teaching prosocial skills within the curriculum; and fostering interpersonal success in conflict resolution. Peer assistance programs, as well as the removal of serious offenders from regular schools to provide them with a more secure educational placement, have contributed to the reduction in school-based intimidation.
Callahan, C.M., and F.P. Rivera. 1992. Urban high school youth and handguns: A school-based survey. Journal of the American Medical Association 267(22):3038-3042. NCJ 143422.
This study documents self-reported handgun access and ownership among high school students in Seattle, WA. The authors' research determines the prevalence of handgun possession among urban high school youth and investigates associations with socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and deviance. Thirty-four percent of the students reported easy access to handguns, and 6.4 percent reported having a handgun.
Callahan, C.M., et al. 1993 (July). Youth in detention and handguns. Journal of Adolescent Health 14: 350-355. NCJ 145351.
This article analyzes a voluntary anonymous survey of 89 males, ages 15-18, who were detained in the King County, WA, Youth Services Center, a short-term detention facility. It provides information about the frequency and association of handgun possession and firearm injuries among these males.
Carrie, D.A. 1993. Street Gangs. Portland, Ore.: Pocket Press. NCJ 149508.
This booklet is designed for those concerned about the growth of youth gangs and their activities. The author provides recommendations for eliminating gangs from the community through the cooperative efforts of parents, schools, and youth service centers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1991. Weapon-carrying among high school students: United States, 1990. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 40(40):681-684. NCJ 144164.
This study provides information regarding the incidence and prevalence of self-reported weapon-carrying among U.S. high school students during 1990. Nearly 20 percent of the students had carried a weapon at least once during the 30-day period. To achieve the greatest reduction in the number of weapon-carrying youth, the report suggests that efforts be directed at frequent weapon carriers, peers, and families. Because the fear of assault was often claimed as the reason for carrying a firearm, the report suggests that programs address the actual or perceived risk of victimization.
Christoffel, K.K. 1991. Toward reducing pediatric injuries from firearms: Charting a legislative and regulatory course. Pediatrics 88(2):294-305. NCJ 145350.
U.S. pediatricians are focusing increasing attention on the problem of injuries from firearms in children and adolescents. They encourage immediate action to reduce the frequency of injuries and deaths caused by firearms.
Conly, C.H. 1993 (August). Street Gangs: Current Knowledge and Strategies. Issues and Practices. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 143290.
This report summarizes research and professional criminal justice perspectives on gangs; describes current gang prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies; and presents recommendations for dealing with street gangs at the community level.
Cook, P.J., et al. 1991 (May-June). Weapons and minority youth violence. Public Health Reports 106(3):254-258. NCJ 145349.
This paper summarizes the discussion of a committee that analyzed the relationship between weapons and violence among youth, especially minorities, and lists recommended priorities for intervention and research.
Covey, H.E., et al. 1992. Juvenile Gangs. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas. NCJ 148515.
This book investigates the phenomenon of juvenile gangs in contemporary American society and places up-to-date racial data about gangs into a broader historical and comparative context.
Crowe, A.H., and P.J. Schaefer. 1992. Identifying and Intervening with Drug-Involved Youth, Participant Manual. Durham, N.C.: American Probation and Parole Association. NCJ 143309.
This manual for juvenile justice professionals examines drug-involved youth and their development, needs, and problems and discusses the environmental and social context in which youth live.
Curry, G.D., R.J. Fox, R.A. Ball, and D. Stone. 1992. National Assessment of Law Enforcement Anti-Gang Information Resources: Final Report. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 147399.
This report documents an increase from earlier assessments in the number of city police departments that report gang problems. It recommends that cities pay greater attention to gang-related crime data.
Delinquency Prevention Works. 1995 (May). Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 147392.
See introduction for annotation.
Dembo, R., et al. 1993 (September). Longitudinal study of the predictors of the adverse effects of alcohol and marijuana/hashish use among a cohort of high-risk youth. International Journal of the Addictions 28(11):1045-1084. NCJ 147392.
This article reviews data from a study of juvenile detainees in a southeastern State to examine the demographic and life experience factors related to their reported adverse effects of alcohol and other drug use.
Dougherty, D., et al. 1992 (May). Adolescent health: A report to the U.S. Congress. Journal of School Health 62(5):167-174. NCJ 145348.
This document reports findings from a study conducted by the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment. It includes recommendations regarding adolescents' access to firearms and ways to improve their social environments.
Drug Abuse Among Minority Youth: Methodological Issues and Recent Research Advances. 1993. Rockville, Md.: National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 145370.
This compilation of papers attempts to document patterns, causes, and consequences of drug abuse by minority youth. The research suggests that economic situations, unique cultural backgrounds, and social networks may cause drug-using behavior of minority youth to vary significantly from that of nonminority youth.
Drug Recognition Techniques: A Training Program for Juvenile Justice Professionals. 1990. Update on Programs. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 128795.
This update discusses OJJDP-sponsored training programs that teach juvenile justice professionals how to recognize when youth are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Drug Use Among Youth: No Simple Answers to Guide Prevention. 1993. Washington, D.C.: Human Resources Division, U.S. General Accounting Office. NCJ 149091.
This publication addresses the prevalence of drug and alcohol use among various groups of juveniles; the relationship between drug and alcohol use; risk factors related to juvenile drug and alcohol use; Federal programs aimed at drug risk factors; and policies that might constitute a reasonable prevention and intervention strategy.
Drug Use Forecasting. 1993 Annual Report on Juvenile Arrestees/Detainees: Drugs and Crime in America's Cities. Research in Brief. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 150709.
This report, part of a series that explores drug use among youthful offenders in 12 cities, shows an increase in the number of arrestees testing positive for marijuana as well as a rise in multiple drug use. It suggests collaborative efforts that can be made at the Federal and local levels.
Elliott, D.S. 1994. Youth Violence: An Overview. Boulder, Colo.: Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado. NCJ 152908.
This document reports that the problem with juvenile violence in the 1990's is its lethality caused by the increased use of handguns. Dropouts, drug dealers, and individuals with prior records of violent behavior are more likely to possess guns than are other adolescents. The vast majority of guns used in crimes are obtained by theft or other illegal means. There is little research on the effectiveness of gun control policies; however, some evidence shows that restrictive handgun laws and mandatory sentences for firearm offenses work.
Esbensen, F., and D. Huizinga. 1993 (November). Gangs, drugs, and delinquency in a survey of urban youth. Criminology 31(4):565-589. NCJ 145959.
This report is based on an annual survey of male and female juveniles in Denver, CO, during a 4-year span. The survey results provide information on the prevalence, demographic composition, and criminal activities of gangs, as well as insight into the process of juveniles joining gangs.
Esbensen, F., et al. 1993 (May). Gang and non-gang youth: Differences in explanatory factors. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice 9(2):94-116. NCJ 145076.
Using the Denver Youth Survey, a longitudinal study of families, the article examines characteristics of juvenile gang members.
Fagan, J. 1995. What Do We Know About Gun Use Among Adolescents? Boulder, Colo.: Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado. NCJ 160053.
Relying on gang literature, homicide data, and his own research on juvenile violence, the author uses a nuclear deterrent strategy to describe the "ecology of danger" that pervades the lives of many young people who carry guns. He asserts that a continuous sense of danger affects the decisionmaking and behavior of young people. Cultural dynamics, influenced by the gun trade, have also popularized guns and made backing down from arguments and losing face difficult for youth. As a solution to these two dynamics, he proposes interventions focused on individual behavior change and on building an ecology of safety.
Fagan, J. 1992. Political Economy of Drug Dealing Among Urban Gangs. New York, N.Y.: Social Science Research Council. NCJ 149210.
This study examines past and recent data on gangs and drugs that examine their interrelationship. It also explores the effects of community structural change on neighborhood social processes that foster the emergence of youth gangs.
Farrell, A.D., et al. 1992. Risk factors for drug use in rural adolescents. Journal of Drug Education 22(4):313-328. NCJ 141533.
A questionnaire that assessed drug use and the presence or absence of 20 risk factors was used to test the relevance of the risk-factor model for predicting drug use among rural adolescents.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1994. Crime in the United States, 1993: Uniform Crime Reports. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 151712.
See introduction for annotation.
Female Involvement in Gangs. 1993. Bethesda, Md.: Development Services Group, Inc. NCJ 148558.
This booklet summarizes the highlights of presentations at the forum on the Prevention of Adolescent Female Gang Involvement held by the Family and Youth Services Bureau in Bethesda, MD, in March 1993.
Feyerherm, W., C. Pope, and R. Lovell. 1992 (December). Youth Gang Prevention and Early Intervention Programs. Final Research Report. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 145311.
This OJJDP-sponsored evaluation of youth gang prevention and intervention programs in 33 Boys and Girls Clubs confirms that high-risk youth involvement and regular attendance in the Clubs' activities are effective in improving their behavior and performance at school.
Fingerhut, L.A. 1993 (March). Firearm mortality among children, youth, and young adults 1-34 years of age, trends and current status: United States, 1985-1990. Advance Data 231. NCJ 143308.
This report revises a National Center for Health Statistics report documenting the level of firearm mortality among individuals ages 1-34 from 1979 to 1988. Newly available intercensal population estimates and 1990 data have allowed the correction of statistics for 1985 to 1988.
Fingerhut, L.A., D.D. Ingram, and J.J. Feldman. 1992. Firearm and nonfirearm homicide among persons 15 through 19 years of age. Journal of the American Medical Association 267(22):3048-3053. NCJ 143423.
This article reports that the 1989 firearm homicide rate in metropolitan counties was nearly five times the rate in nonmetropolitan counties. Firearm homicide rates were highest in core metropolitan counties (27.7/100,000), compared with nonmetropolitan counties (2.9/100,000). Firearm homicide rates were highest for black males and lowest for white females in all five urbanization strata for 1979 through 1989.
Fingerhut, L.A., D.D. Ingram, and J.J. Feldman. 1992 (June 10). Firearm homicide among black teenage males in metropolitan counties: Comparison of death rates in two periods, 1983 through 1985 and 1987 through 1989. Journal of the American Medical Association 267(22):3054-3058. NCJ 143424.
This study identified counties that had either significantly high or significantly low firearm homicide rates among black males ages 15 through 19 or that experienced a significant increase in the firearm homicide rate in two periods in the 1980's.
Fingerhut, L.A., J.C. Kleinman, E. Godfrey, and H. Rosenberg. 1991. Firearm mortality among children, youth, and young adults 1-34 years of age, trends and current status: United States 1979-88. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 39(11). NCJ 144116.
This report emphasizes racial and gender differences in homicide and suicide associated with firearms among males ages 15 to 34.
Firearm Facts: Information on Gun Violence and Its Prevention. 1994. Rockville, Md.: Division of Maternal and Child Health, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 149880.
This report presents information and statistics on the nature, extent, costs, and prevention of firearms-related deaths, particularly among children, in the United States.
Fleisch, B. 1991. Approaches in the Treatment of Adolescents With Emotional and Substance Abuse Problems. Rockville, Md.: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 145307.
This report describes 12 programs that offer promising, innovative, or unusual treatment approaches for adolescents with both mental health and substance abuse problems.
Gangs, schools, and community. 1993 (Spring). School Intervention Report 6(3). NCJ 147408.
This issue focuses on problems surrounding gangs, schools, and communities. It discusses the role of educators in empowering parents to reduce the likelihood that their children will join gangs and to motivate their children to leave gangs they have joined.
Greenbaum, S. 1994 (Spring/Summer). Drugs, delinquency, and other data. Juvenile Justice II(1):2-8. NCJ 148407.
This article underscores the link between juvenile drug use and delinquency. It summarizes findings of OJJDP's Program of Research on the Causes and Correlates of Delinquency, which conducted longitudinal surveys of high-risk youth in Denver, CO; Pittsburgh, PA; and Rochester, NY.
Greenwood, P.W. 1992 (October). Substance abuse problems among high-risk youth and potential interventions. Crime and Delinquency 38(4):444-458. NCJ 140360.
Although overall drug use among teenagers has declined significantly during the past decade, adolescents raised in impoverished urban communities continue to be at high risk for involvement in drug use, drug sales, and serious juvenile delinquency. This article highlights findings from longitudinal studies that suggest preventive interventions with these youth must address a wide range of problems and needs.
Greer, C., et al. 1990. Alcohol abuse and the young offender: Alcohol education as an alternative to custodial sentencing. Journal of Offender Counseling, Services & Rehabilitation 15(1):131-145. NCJ 123652.
This article states that the exact relationship between alcohol abuse and juvenile crime is not clear. The authors believe that alcohol education courses, as developed in England, may be a viable alternative to custodial sentencing for delinquents.
Hard Facts on Handguns. 1994. Huntington, N.Y.: Bureau for At-Risk Youth. NCJ 150922.
Although handgun deaths in Australia, Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland fell below 100 per country for a 1-year period, the United States tallied 10,667 deaths in that same year. This pamphlet presents facts on handgun deaths in various countries, the risks of handguns for juveniles, and steps juveniles should take to reduce their risk of injury or death from a handgun.
Harmon, M.A. 1993 (April). Reducing the risk of drug involvement among early adolescents: An evaluation of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE). Evaluation Review 17(2):221-239. NCJ 141978.
This study compares 341 5th-grade DARE students to 367 non-DARE students in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the DARE Program in Charleston County, SC.
Harris, L. 1993 (September). Survey of Experiences, Perceptions, and Apprehensions About Guns Among Young People in America. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University. NCJ 144016.
Students in the 6th through 12th grades in a random sample of U.S. public, private, and parochial schools were surveyed to determine their experiences, perceptions, and fears about gun possession.
Hatchell, B.S. 1990. Rising Above Gangs and Drugs: How to Start a Community Reclamation Project. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 133522.
This manual describes the Community Reclamation Project that targeted four communities in Los Angeles County to develop a gang and drug prevention program. The program established a network of community-based organizations, law enforcement and government agencies, and concerned citizens to combat drug use and gang activity. It also developed a culture-specific strategy integrating child, parent, and teacher training to prevent drug abuse and gang activity among youth.
Henkoff, R. 1992 (August). Kids are killing, dying, bleeding. Fortune 126(3):62-69. NCJ 159324.
This article examines a non-experimental exploration of juvenile homicide, abuse, and suicide. The author suggests several strategies to reduce juvenile violence, including parenting skills programs, anger management programs, and gun control policies.
Howell, J.C., ed. 1995 (May). Guide for Implementing the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 153571.
See introduction for annotation.
Howell, J.C. 1994 (October). Recent gang research: Program and policy implications. Crime and Delinquency 40(4):495-515. NCJ 151535.
See section 2 for annotation.
Howell, J.C. 1994 (April). Gangs. Fact Sheet #12. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ FS009412.
This fact sheet addresses the composition of gangs; their involvement with drugs, violence, and weapons; and how OJJDP plans to combat the problem.
Huizinga, D., et al. 1994. Urban Delinquency and Substance Abuse. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 146416.
There is a strong relationship between the possession of illegal guns and delinquency and drug use. Seventy-four percent of the illegal gun owners commit street crimes, 24 percent commit firearms crimes, and 41 percent use drugs. Boys who own legal guns have much lower rates of delinquency and drug use and are even slightly less delinquent than nonowners of guns. For legal gun owners, socialization appears to take place in the family. For illegal gun owners, it seems to take place on the street.
Humphrey, K.R., and P.R. Baker. 1994 (September). GREAT program: Gang Resistance Education And Training. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 63(9):1-4. NCJ 150168.
This article describes the Phoenix, AZ, Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) Program, a cooperative effort by the police department, area schools, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to help juveniles resist peer pressure to join gangs.
Inciardi, J.A., et al. 1993. Street Kids, Street Drugs, Street Crime: An Examination of Drug Use and Serious Delinquency in Miami. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Corporation. NCJ 146902.
To provide baseline information on serious juvenile delinquency, the authors conducted street interviews with approximately 600 serious delinquents in 20 neighborhoods of the Miami/Dade County metropolitan area.
Innovative Law Enforcement Training Programs: Meeting State and Local Needs. 1991. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 131735.
This bulletin describes several training programs offered by OJJDP to help law enforcement agencies improve juvenile operations and services.
Interdepartmental Working Group on Violence. 1994. Violence: Report to the President and Domestic Policy Council. Washington, D.C. NCJ 159325.
See section 1 for annotation.
Jacklin, B. 1994 (Spring). Children, adolescents, and firearms. Options 2:1-2, 14-15. NCJ 152931.
This study uses data sources to examine firearm mortality and morbidity rates in the United States, domestic rates compared to other developed countries, numbers of African-American male and white male firearm victims, children's accessibility to guns, and psychological trauma and financial costs due to firearm deaths and injuries.
Joe, K. 1993. Issues in accessing and studying ethnic youth gangs. Gang Journal 1(2):9-24. NCJ 147674.
This article reviews the current state of research on ethnic gangs, emphasizing the nature of such research, the principal methods employed in these studies, and the reasons for the uneven development of an ethnic-specific focus in gang-related research.
Joe, K. 1992 (November). Chinese Gangs and Tongs: An Exploratory Look at the Connection on the West Coast (paper presented at the 44th annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology in New Orleans, La., November 4-7, 1992). Honolulu, Ha.: University of Hawaii. NCJ 149213.
This document explores whether a relationship exists between Chinese youth gangs in the San Francisco, CA, area and organized crime groups in Chinese communities. Analysis is based on interviews with 73 Chinese gang members.
Joe, K., and M. Chesney-Lind. 1993. Just every mother's angel: An analysis of gender and ethnic variations in youth gang membership. Gender and Society 9(4):408-431. NCJ 149118.
Based on interviews with 48 male and female youth who belonged to ethnic gangs in Hawaii, this report presents an analysis of the reasons males and females have for joining gangs. The research shows that even though males and females participate in gangs for different reasons, both genders rely on gangs to fulfill the social role of the group and to solve problems experienced in low-income communities.
Johnson, C., B. Webster, and E. Connors. 1995 (February). Prosecuting Gangs: A National Assessment. Research in Brief. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 151785.
The authors present the findings of a nationwide survey of local prosecutors' approaches to gang prosecution. Also included are a review of State legislation targeted at street gang activity and case studies of prosecution efforts at four sites.
Jones, M.A., and B. Krisberg. 1994. Images and Reality: Juvenile Crime, Youth Violence, and Public Policy. San Francisco, Calif.: National Council on Crime and Delinquency. NCJ 149440.
The authors indicate that the most important factor concerning youth violence in general and juvenile homicide specifically during the past 10 years is the availability of firearms. Teenage boys in all racial and ethnic groups are more likely to die from gunshot wounds than from all natural causes combined. Both the availability and increasing lethality of firearms contribute to this violence.
Juvenile Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: A Guide to Federal Initiatives for Prevention, Treatment, and Control. 1992. Washington, D.C.: The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCJ 138741.
This work aims to help local communities develop strategies that address the needs of youth involved with illegal drugs and alcohol. The document describes promising programs, projects, and research; addresses the problem of juvenile alcohol and other drug abuse; and lists sponsoring agencies and clearinghouses for additional information.
Kellerman, A. 1993 (October). Gun ownership as a risk factor for homicide in the home. New England Journal of Medicine 329(15):1084-1091. NCJ 146835.
This study found that in King County, WA, guns kept at home were involved in the death of a household member 185 times more often than in the death of a stranger. These deaths included suicides, homicides, and unintentional fatal shootings.
Kennedy, D.M. 1994. Can We Keep Guns Away From Kids? Cambridge, Mass.: Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. NCJ 152025.
This study examines the effectiveness of existing gun control statutes and proposes a comprehensive local strategy that aims to reduce juveniles' access to guns.
Kids and Guns: A National Disgrace. 1993. Washington, D.C.: Educational Fund to End Handgun Violence. NCJ 152551.
Between 1985 and 1990, the number of teenagers murdered by firearms doubled, while the number of 15-year-old boys charged with murder increased by 217 percent. This report documents the rising incidence of gun-related violence that affects children, including violence perpetrated by children.
Kingery, P.M., et al. 1992. Violence and illegal drug use among adolescents: Evidence from the U.S. National Adolescent Student Health Survey. International Journal of the Addictions 27(12):1445-1464. NCJ 147407.
The National Adolescent Student Health Survey, administered during 1987 and 1988, questioned 3,789 students from 176 public and private schools about violence, drug use, and victimization. This article examines the relationships among these topics, based on survey results.
Klitzner, M., et al. 1993. Substance Abuse: Early Intervention for Adolescents. Bethesda, Md.: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. NCJ 141401.
This study presents a range of early intervention strategies used in juvenile drug prevention programs. It profiles school, health care, juvenile justice system, and community-based programs and includes survey data.
Knox, G.W. 1992 (November). Gang Problems Among Asian Students (paper presented at the 44th annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology in New Orleans, La., November 4-7, 1992). NCJ 148512.
This paper studied 361 Asian students to ascertain whether traditional hypotheses of juvenile gang membership are relevant to the gang problems of this population.
Knox, G.W., et al. 1994. Gangs and Guns: A Task Force Report From the National Gang Crime Research Center. Chicago, Ill.: National Gang Crime Research Center, Chicago State University. NCJ 151529.
Six gang researchers at three universities collaborated on this extensive study of gangs and guns in the Midwest. The study examines eight county jails, a Chicago, IL, public high school and inner-city program, and a private suburban probation program.
Koop, C.E., and G.D. Lundberg. 1992 (June). Violence in America: A public health emergency. Journal of the American Medical Association 267(22):3075-3076. NCJ 151841.
This article discusses the need for a public health/medical approach to the problem of violence. It compares the responsibilities associated with owning and using a firearm with those associated with owning and using a motor vehicle. The article concludes with recommendations for national action.
Krisberg, B., R. DeComo, and N.C. Herrera. 1992. National Juvenile Custody Trends: 1978-1989. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 131649.
See section 1 for annotation.
Lawyers Committee on Violence. 1994. Gun Violence in New York City: Problems and Solutions. New York, N.Y.: Lawyers Committee on Violence, Inc. NCJ 159329.
This report proposes several alternatives for reducing the number of guns in circulation, including legal penalties, eviction, and increased enforcement.
Lizotte, A.J., J.M. Tesoriero, T.P. Thornberry, and M.D. Krohn. 1994 (March). Patterns of adolescent firearms ownership and use. Justice Quarterly 11(1):51-74. NCJ 150231.
This study used data from the Rochester Youth Development Study to analyze patterns of adolescent gun possession and use. Ten percent of the 9th- and 10th-grade boys studied had a firearm, and 7.5 percent reported carrying it regularly.
Loftin, C., D. McDowall, B. Wiersman, and T.J. Cottey. 1991. Effects of restrictive licensing of handguns on homicide and suicide in the District of Columbia. New England Journal of Medicine 325(23):1615-1620. NCJ 133649.
This evaluation of a District of Columbia law banning the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians suggests that, on average, 47 deaths have been prevented each year since implementation of the law.
Lowry, R., et al. 1993. Violence-related attitudes and behaviors of high school students -- New York City, 1992. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 42(40). NCJ 147422.
This article reprint reveals that during the 1991-92 school year, 36.1 percent of the 9th- to 12th-grade New York City public school students surveyed reported being threatened with physical harm. Twenty-one percent of students reported carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club during the 30 days preceding the survey, with 7 percent carrying a handgun.
Madlem, M.S. 1993 (Fall). Trends and issues surrounding rural adolescent alcohol and other drug abuse. School Intervention Report 7(1):11-18, 20-21. NCJ 145786.
Focusing on rural areas, the author notes that alcohol and drug use rates for rural adolescents appear to be matching or even surpassing rates for urban adolescents.
Maxson, C.L., M.A. Gordon, and M.W. Klein. 1985. Differences between gang and nongang homicides. Criminology 23(2):209-222. NCJ 102843.
This analysis of more than 700 homicides within the jurisdictions of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department between 1978 and mid-1982 found significant differences between homicides designated gang-related and those that were not gang-related.
McLellan, T., and R. Dembo. 1993. Screening and Assessment of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Abusing Adolescents. Rockville, Md.: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 152331.
This Treatment Improvement Protocol is based on three principles: that adolescents deserve effective and appropriate care; that they have a right to privacy and to confidential handling of any information they provide; and that program staff must consider cultural, ethnic, and gender concerns in all aspects of the screening and assessment process.
National Drug Control Strategy. Executive Summary. 1995 (April). Washington, D.C.: Executive Office of the President. NCJ 152702.
This summary highlights key points of President Clinton's plan to reduce illicit drug use and drug trafficking in the United States. It presents an overview of the full Strategy, outlines the current drug situation, summarizes the Strategy's four Action Plans, and presents Federal drug control resource priorities for FY 1996.
1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. 1995. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 152438.
This annual survey, conducted by HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimates the prevalence of legal and illegal drug use in the United States and monitors drug use trends. It is based on a representative sample of respondents ages 12 and older, including persons living in households, dormitories, and homeless shelters.
Northrop, D., and K. Hamrick. 1990. Weapons and Minority Youth Violence (background paper prepared for the Forum on Youth Violence in Minority Communities: Setting the Agenda for Prevention, in Atlanta, Ga., on December 10-12, 1990). NCJ 145349.
This paper reviews existing and potential strategies for reducing the misuse of weapons by American youth. The authors cite three issues that need to be addressed if effective interventions are to be implemented in the area of weapons misuse by minority youth.
Office of National Drug Control Policy. 1995 (February). National Drug Control Strategy 1995: Strengthening Communities' Response to Drugs and Crime. Washington, D.C.: Office of the President. NCJ 152700.
This document is the latest in a series of annual publications addressing current trends in illicit drug use in the United States. It outlines four areas for action: reducing drug demand; reducing crime, violence, and drug availability; enhancing domestic drug program flexibility and efficiency at the community level; and strengthening interdiction efforts.
Osgood, D.W. 1995 (January). Drugs, Alcohol, and Adolescent Violence. Boulder, Colo.: The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute for Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado. NCJ 154812.
This study focuses on the connection between drug use and violence among 12 to 18 year olds. The author analyzes previous research on this topic and provides a bibliography and statistical tables.
Pacific Center for Violence Prevention. 1994. Preventing Youth Violence: Reducing Access to Firearms. San Francisco, Calif. NCJ 158365.
This publication argues that the increasing rate of violent juvenile crime in the last 10 years is parallel to a period of decreased allocation of resources for youth. The public health model states that decreasing handgun availability is the most effective means of decreasing firearm-related injury and death. Low prices, new designs, and ready availability contribute to youth possession of firearms. Two psychosocial factors that contribute to violence are the youth's incompetence (an inability to understand the nature of one's acts) and desensitization to the quality of one's acts through exposure to the media.
Price, J.H., S.M. Desmond, and D. Smith. 1991 (August). A preliminary investigation of inner-city adolescents' perceptions of guns. Journal of School Health 61(6):255-259. NCJ 159333.
The authors suggest that schools and health educators become more aware and involved in the prevention of gun violence.
Prothrow-Stith, D., and M. Weissman. 1991. Deadly Consequences: How Violence Is Destroying Our Teenage Population and A Plan To Begin Solving The Problem. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins Publishers. NCJ 130864.
The authors explore the epidemic of violence that exists in the Nation and is threatening a generation of young men, particularly African-American males living in poverty. They evaluate the societal factors that contribute to the culture of violence. Seeing violence as a public health emergency, they offer concrete strategies to prevent continued deaths and injuries to youth.
Pryor, D.W., and E. McGarrell. 1993 (June). Public perceptions of youth gang crime: An exploratory analysis. Youth and Society 24(4):399-418. NCJ 143206.
This article investigates community perceptions of the juvenile gang problem in Indianapolis, IN, through a survey of 306 residents conducted in 1984 and 1985. It examines the effects of victimization experiences at the hands of youth gangs as well as the impact of media exposure on community perceptions and opinions.
Pulse Check: National Trends in Drug Abuse. 1995 (Spring). Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. NCJ 153826.
This issue summarizes information gathered during January and February 1995 on the prevalence of drugs throughout the Nation. Sources include ethnographers and epidemiologists working in the drug field, law enforcement officials, and treatment providers.
Quinn, J.F., and B. Downs. 1995 (Spring). Predictors of gang violence: The impact of drugs and guns on police perceptions in nine states. Journal of Gang Research 2(3)15-27. NCJ 155155.
This article reports on the findings of a survey of nine municipal police departments that explore the effect of structural and behavioral variables on the frequency of two types of gang violence: internecine violence and violence directed at citizens who were not gang-involved.
Reducing the Impact of Drugs on American Society. 1995 (March). Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. NCJ 153765.
This report contains charts that graphically represent the steps involved in the Administration's approach to addressing the problems of illicit drug use and its consequences. The charts demonstrate the scope of the problem and the costs of drug use.
Reducing Youth Gun Violence: An Overview of Programs and Initiatives. 1996. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 154303.
This report includes a summary that highlights current Federal and State legislation to reduce youth gun violence and describes state-of-the-art prevention and intervention programs as well as Federal and local partnerships in implementing these laws and programs. It provides a directory of programs, organizations, and research aimed at reducing gun violence.
Responding to Drug Use and Violence: Helping People, Families, and Communities: A Directory and Resource Guide of Public- and Private-Sector Grants. 1995 (January). Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. NCJ 153429.
This directory outlines the Federal grant-making process and lists Federal grant programs as well as additional programs and resources.
Robertson, J.G., and J.E. Waters. 1994. Inner city adolescents and drug abuse. In A.R. Roberts, ed. Critical Issues in Crime and Justice. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. NCJ 149862.
This chapter examines problems associated with adolescent drug abuse and drug dealing, particularly in poor and minority communities in large urban areas. The authors discuss the relationship between drug abuse and crime.
Roehl, J., G. Capowich, and R. Llaneras. 1991 (May). National Evaluation of the Systems Approach to Community Crime and Drug Prevention. (Unpublished.) Arlington, Va.: Institute of Social Analysis. NCJ 160054.
This two-volume report evaluates the Systems Approach to Community Crime Prevention implemented in Knoxville, TN; New Haven, CT; Jacksonville, FL; and Tucson, AZ. The authors found that particular elements of each city's approach were successful in reducing rates of drug-related and other crime.
Roth, J.A. 1994 (February). Firearms and Violence. Research in Brief. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 145533.
Most murders involve firearms, and young minority men are at especially high risk of being murdered with a gun. Innovations in laws, law enforcement, public education, and technology show promise of reducing gun murders by making firearms less available to persons likely to use them in violence, less accessible in situations where violence is likely to occur, or less lethal. The research indicates that evaluations are needed to test the effectiveness of these innovations.
Rowe, D.C., and B. Gulley. 1992 (May). Sibling effects on substance use and delinquency. Criminology 30(2):217-233. NCJ 137081.
The authors of this article examined data from 418 sets of siblings in Arizona to determine the influence of siblings on juvenile delinquency and drug abuse.
Ruttenberg, H. 1994 (May). The limited promise of public health methodologies to prevent youth violence. The Yale Law Journal 103:1885. NCJ 159334.
This article notes that although the public health approach successfully changed middle-class smoking behavior, it did not seem to change the smoking habits of members of the lower class and may not change the violent behavior of the lower class. Although the public health approach may reduce the lethality of violence, it is questionable whether it will reduce the incidence of violence. Rather, the Nation must collectively strengthen its will to improve the circumstances of children, youth, and young adults.
Sanders, W.B. 1994. Gangbangs and Drive-bys: Grounded Culture and Juvenile Gang Violence. Hawthorne, N.Y.: Aldine de Gruyter Publishing Co. NCJ 148415.
This book analyzes typical patterns of gang violence and illustrates how ethnicity can affect gang styles. It also discusses police interaction with gangs.
Schinke, S.P., et al. 1991. Effects of Boys and Girls Clubs on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Related Problems in Public Housing Projects. Rockville, Md.: Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 143443.
This study evaluates the effects of Boys and Girls Clubs on children and adolescents who live in public housing projects. The primary focus is on the effect these clubs have on drug and alcohol use, delinquency, vandalism, and school success.
Schonberg, S.K. 1993. Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Abusing Adolescents. Rockville, Md.: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This Treatment Improvement Protocol provides guidelines to be used by programs that design and deliver services to clients, ages 11-21, and by professionals who need to choose among treatment alternatives for troubled young people.
Shapiro, J.P., R.L. Dorman, B.M. Burkey, and C.J. Welker. 1993. Attitudes Toward Guns and Violence in Third- Through Twelfth-Grade Youth. Cleveland, Ohio: The Guidance Center. NCJ 159336.
This document compares youth attitudes toward firearms used for hunting with those used for violence. It recommends education and intervention for young children.
Sheley, J.F. 1994. Drug activity and firearms possession and use by juveniles. Journal of Drug Issues 24(3):363-382. NCJ 150557.
Using survey data from juveniles incarcerated in maximum security reformatories, this article analyzes gun use and possession among juveniles involved in the use and distribution of drugs.
Sheley, J.F., and J.D. Wright. 1993 (December). Gun Acquisition and Possession in Selected Juvenile Samples. Research in Brief. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 145326.
This brief details results about the extent of prior gun possession by incarcerated youth and students. The researchers concluded that the primary challenge is convincing youth they can survive in their neighborhoods without being armed.
Sheley, J.F., and J.D. Wright. 1993 (Autumn). Motivations for gun possession and carrying among serious juvenile offenders. Behavioral Sciences and the Law 11(4): 375-388. NCJ 147139.
Survey data collected from 835 male juveniles incarcerated in maximum security reformatories were used to analyze motivations behind gun possession and carrying.
Sheley, J.F., J.D. Wright, and Z.T. McGee. 1992 (June). Gun-related violence in and around inner-city schools. American Journal of Diseases of Children 46(6):677-768. NCJ 146005.
This study focuses on serious juvenile offenders and students from schools in high-risk areas who reported they carried guns for self-protection. The fundamental policy problem involves convincing youth that they can survive in their neighborhoods unarmed. The authors recommend that efforts to change a culture of violence must be directed toward the family, community, and society.
Sheley, J.F., and J.D. Wright. 1992 (June). Youth, Guns, and Violence in Urban America (paper presented at the National Conference on Prosecution Strategies Against Armed Criminals and Gang Violence: Federal, State, and Local Coordination, June 9-11, 1992, San Diego, Calif.). Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 138725.
Results from a survey of 835 male inmates in 6 juvenile correctional facilities across the country and 753 male students in 10 inner city public high schools near the correctional institutions surveyed were used to study the types, numbers, and logistics of juvenile firearms use.
Sheley, J.F., J.D. Wright, and M.D. Smith. 1993. Firearms, Violence, and Youth: A Report of Research Findings Final. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 147858.
Using data from males in juvenile correctional facilities and inner-city public high schools, this report analyzes where, how, and why juveniles acquire, carry, and use firearms.
Sherman, L.W., J.W. Shaw, and D.P. Rogan. 1995 (January). The Kansas City Gun Experiment. Research in Brief. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 150855.
This brief evaluates a police patrol project designed to reduce gun violence, drive-by shootings, and homicides in an area where the homicide rate was 20 times higher than the national average. Significant reductions in gun crimes occurred as a result of the directed police patrol.
Sloan, J.H., et al. 1990. Handgun regulations, crime, assaults, and homicide: A tale of two cities. Gun Control Debate 1990:195-205. NCJ 127644.
The cities of Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC, were studied over a 7-year period to understand the relationship between firearm regulations and community rates of homicide. The study suggests that a modest restriction of citizens' access to firearms is associated with lower rates of homicide. Decreased availability of handguns did not result in a direct shift to homicide by other means.
Smith, D., and B. Lautman. 1990. A Generation Under the Gun: A Statistical Analysis of Youth Firearm Murder in America. Washington, D.C.: Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. NCJ 159337.
The authors' analysis of expository data provides the basis for recommendations for reducing the availability of guns, especially in the home. They also recommend cooperation among parents, educators, lawmakers, and law enforcement officials to educate about the dangers of gun use, reduce the availability of firearms, and punish offenders quickly and severely.
Snyder, H., and M. Sickmund. 1995 (August). Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A National Report. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 153569.
See introduction for annotation.
Snyder, H., and M. Sickmund. 1995 (May). Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A Focus on Violence. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 153570.
See introduction for annotation.
Spergel, I. 1995 (June). The Youth Gang Problem: A Community Approach. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press. NCJ 158897.
This comprehensive study describes the scope and seriousness of the gang problem, the complex relationship between gang members and drug activity, the structure of gangs and the demographics of gang members, the process of gang life, and other aspects of youth gangs. The book also looks at what has been done and what needs to be done about the problem, including local community mobilization and national policy.
Spergel, I. 1994 (October). Gang Suppression and Intervention: Community Models. Research Summary. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 148202.
Based on the National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Program, this research summary presents a set of policies and procedures for the design of community efforts by police, prosecutors, judges, probation and parole officers, schools, community-based agencies, and a range of grassroots agencies. It presents a framework for creating effective approaches for reducing the problem of youth gangs.
Spergel, I., et al. 1994 (October). Gang Suppression and Intervention: Problem and Response. Research Summary. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 149629.
The National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Program conducted a comprehensive national survey of organized agency and community group responses to gang problems. This research summary describes the survey's findings, provides policy and program recommendations, and suggests strategies for cities with chronic and emerging gang problems.
Spergel, I. 1993. Gang Suppression and Intervention: An Assessment. Chicago, Ill.: School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago. NCJ 146494.
This report provides an extensive review of the research literature available on the youth gang phenomenon and contains a summary and conclusions regarding the nature of the problem, promising intervention strategies, and possible courses for further research. It suggests that communities need to implement a comprehensive policy to address gang problems.
Spergel, I., et al. 1990 (June). National youth gang suppression and intervention program. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 130917.
This bulletin describes the National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Program, a research and development program established in 1987 by OJJDP to address policy and programs. The program is carrying out a four-stage process of assessment, model program development, technical assistance, and dissemination.
Stevens, J.B. 1994. Federal prosecution of gangs and juveniles. Criminal Practice Manual. Washington, D.C.: Office of Legal Education, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 149521.
The author describes the role the FBI and other Federal agencies play with local law enforcement agencies in investigating gang activity and drug-related violence and in prosecuting juvenile gang members and other juvenile delinquents under Federal law.
Straight Talk About Risks: A Pre-K-12 Curriculum for Preventing Gun Violence, English-Spanish Bilingual Edition. 1992. Washington, D.C.: Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. NCJ 143303.
This curriculum, known as the STAR (Straight Talk About Risks) program, was developed for prekindergarten through 12th-grade levels. It strives to reduce the potential for children and teenagers to be injured or killed by gunfire.
Sugarmann, J., and K. Rand. 1994. Cease fire. Rolling Stone 677:30-42. NCJ 147980.
This report suggests a regulatory approach to gun control that requires individuals dedicated to reducing firearms violence to reassess their understanding of the issue. Some of the steps include establishment of a long-term public education media campaign to change public perception of gun violence; support for research into firearms violence, causes, effects, and economic costs; and recruitment of individuals and organizations not traditionally involved in the debate.
Suppression of Drug Abuse in Schools Program: A Resource Guide for Implementing Prevention, Suppression, and Intervention Programs. 1988. San Francisco, Calif.: National Council on Crime and Delinquency. NCJ 122956.
This manual presents guidelines for establishing a program to prevent, suppress, and intervene in drug abuse in schools and communities by addressing both the demand and supply sides of the drug problem.
A Survey of Experiences, Perceptions, and Apprehensions About Guns Among Young People in America. 1993. New York, N.Y.: Louis Harris and Associates, Inc. and LH Research, Inc. NCJ 144016.
This work presents the results of two national opinion polls of adults' and children's attitudes toward guns and their experiences with them. The polls underscore deep fear and concern about gun violence and Americans' desire to do something about the epidemic.
Survey of experiences, perceptions, and apprehensions about guns among young people in America. 1993 (September). Youth Record 5(16):2-8. NCJ 146058.
This survey profiles elementary, middle, and high school students' experiences with guns, and their attitudes toward them.
Suter, E.A., W.C. Waters, and G.B. Murray, et al. 1995. Violence in America: Effective solutions. Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia. 85:253-263. NCJ 160056.
This paper examines the prevalence of guns in the United States, concluding that guns offer a substantial net benefit to society. It argues against more stringent gun controls and bans, recommending enforcement of existing gun laws and existing laws against violent crime.
Tatem-Kelley, B. 1994 (July). A Comprehensive Strategy to Address America's Gang Problem. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 160057.
This paper summarizes the work of OJJDP's Gang Task Force that reviewed OJJDP-sponsored gang projects, assessed the program development and future research implications of recent gang research, formulated recommendations for future OJJDP gang strategies, examined the history of the amended gang legislation, and conducted interviews with selected Federal program managers about current and planned gang initiatives.
Taylor, C.S. 1993. Girls, Gangs, Women, and Drugs. East Lansing, Mich.: Michigan State University Press. NCJ 147359.
This book focuses on a large segment of Detroit's African-American female population and shows that girls and young women who have become a force in the drug culture and urban gang life view their involvement as self-empowering.
Teen Gangs. 1993. Northfield, Minn.: Life Skills Education. NCJ 148091.
This pamphlet explains the history and current nature of juvenile gangs. It suggests approaches for preventing and controlling gang activities and examines the harmful impacts upon youth and the community.
Torok, W.C., and K.S. Trump. 1994 (May). Gang intervention: Police and school collaboration. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 63(5):13-16. NCJ 149366.
This article examines the work of the Youth Gang Unit of the Cleveland, OH, public school system. Collaborating with the city police department's Youth/Gang Unit, the school gang unit consists of 4 school security officers and a coordinator and serves 127 schools with more than 73,000 students.
Treanor, W.W., and M. Bijlefeld. 1989. Kids and Guns: A Child Safety Scandal. Washington, D.C.: American Youth Work Center and Educational Fund to End Handgun Violence. NCJ 111607.
This booklet examines issues surrounding the problem of firearms and child safety, including statistics about the nature and prevalence of the problem and a discussion of prevention strategies.
Tromanhauser, E., and G. Knox. 1992. Gangs in Juvenile Corrections: Fighting, Drug Abuse, and Other Health Risks. Chicago, Ill.: National Commission of Correctional Health Care. NCJ 148540.
In 1991, data were obtained from a sample of 1,801 juveniles confined in 44 juvenile correctional facilities in 5 States to analyze gang membership.
Urban Street Gang Enforcement Operations Manual. Forthcoming. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.
This manual outlines effective gang enforcement policies and procedures to control the growing problem of street gangs and gang-related violence in urban and suburban areas.
Van Kammen, W., and R. Loeber. 1994. Delinquency, Drug Use and the Onset of Adolescent Drug Dealing. Pittsburgh, Pa.: University of Pittsburgh. NCJ 159340.
The authors link youth firearm possession to drug selling, using data from a Pittsburgh youth study. They conclude that a reduction in the number of juveniles selling drugs is likely to reduce the carrying of concealed weapons, particularly guns.
Vrgora, F. 1992. Gangs: The Death of Our Society. Rockville, Md.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 149138.
This report describes major U.S. gangs and their distinctive features and behavior patterns. It explores signs that indicate to parents a child's involvement in gang activity, and suggests intervention tactics that may be effective.
Webster, D.W., P.S. Gainer, and H.R. Champion. 1993 (November). Weapon-carrying among inner-city junior high school students: Defensive behavior vs. aggressive delinquency. American Journal of Public Health 83(11):1604-1608. NCJ 159341.
This study assesses associations between beliefs and experiences related to weapon-carrying among youth. Among 7th-grade males, 48 percent had carried knives, and 23 percent had carried guns. Forty-five percent of 8th-grade males carried knives, and 40 percent carried guns. Key risk factors for knife-carrying were being threatened with a knife, getting into fights, and not believing that having a weapon increases the carrier's risk of injury. Gun-carrying was associated with having been arrested, knowing more victims of violence, starting fights, and being willing to justify shooting someone.
Winfree, L.T., Jr., G.L. Mays, and T. Vigil-Backstrom. 1994 (June). Youth gangs and incarcerated delinquents: Exploring the ties between gang membership, delinquency, and social learning theory. Justice Quarterly 11(2):229-256. NCJ 150588.
Data collected from incarcerated juveniles in New Mexico in 1991 formed this article's analysis of the conceptual and empirical links among membership in youth gangs, juvenile delinquency, and Akers's social learning theory.
Working with Youth in High-Risk Environments: Experiences in Prevention. 1992. Rockville, Md.: Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 146078.
This monograph describes drug abuse prevention programs supported by the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention to help youth and their families.
Wright, J.D., et al. 1992 (November-December). Kids, guns, and killing fields. Society 30(1):84-89. NCJ 140211.
This article analyzes data from youth in maximum security juvenile correctional facilities in 4 States (California, Louisiana, Illinois, and New Jersey) and a sample of students in 10 inner-city public high schools near the correctional facilities who answered a survey on youth firearm use and behavior.
Youth Gang Drug Prevention Program. 1993. Female Involvement in Gangs. Washington, D.C.: Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCJ 148558.
This report explores issues pertaining to female involvement in gangs. It summarizes the highlights of presentations made at the Prevention of Adolescent Female Gang Involvement Forum, March 24-25, 1993.
Zimmer, K., and S. Fedyniak. 1993 (March). Suburban gangs: a police/school collaborative approach. Quarterly 12-13. NCJ 148932.
Following two violent incidents in Lakewood, OH, community members and school officials began to address their problem with gangs. Their solution fostered interaction between police and school officials and led to the disruption of gang activity. This article also discusses the denial and overreaction that accompanied this episode.
Zimring, F.E. 1986. Gun control. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 62:615-621. NCJ 102812.
This article explores drawbacks to several approaches to gun control. It concludes that local gun control initiatives must have State and Federal support if they are to succeed.
Zimring, F.E. 1993 (Winter). Policy research on firearms and violence. Health Affairs 12(4):109-122. NCJ 148073.
This author suggests that public health professionals, in collaboration with social scientists and criminologists, can make a significant contribution to research on the nature and extent of firearm control.
Zimring, F.E. 1985. Violence and firearms policy. In L.A. Curtis, ed. American Violence and Public Policy: An Update of the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press. NCJ 097468.
This paper describes the status of research and policy on guns and gun violence since the 1968 Violence Commission's report. Using the past 30 years as a guide, the author argues that the future will bring a national handgun strategy composed of three parts: Federal restrictions on handgun transfers that amount to permissive licensing and registration; wide variation in State and municipal handgun possession and transfer regulation; and increased Federal law enforcement assistance to States and cities attempting to enforce more restrictive laws than the Federal minimum.
Contents | Foreword | Acknowledgments | Introduction | Summary
Figures | Objectives | Conclusion | Appendixes