Drugs in the Urban Community Essay Example

of 16,037 vacant houses, many of which were abandoned and destroyed by fire. Unfortunately, the city lacks the necessary funds to demolish these properties. Consequently, this situation provides an ideal setting for the production, sale, and consumption of illegal drugs within these locations. Young Boys Inc (2008) serves as a notable example of a drug gang that capitalizes on these houses. Additionally, territorial gangs utilize homes, buildings, and any available surface to promote their presence through graffiti, thereby facilitating drug sales in these specific areas.

During times when job opportunities are scarce, some individuals choose to pursue a career in drugs, putting themselves at risk of imprisonment or even death. However, if we examine the reasons behind these drug dealers' choices, it becomes clear that they have limited alternatives available to them. It is widely accepted that the economy has its ups and downs, and urban areas often experience higher poverty rates than expected. To be honest, there is a lack of prospects in these regions. Many teenagers feel compelled to give up their dreams in order to provide for themselves and their families. As young people, our aspirations are heavily influenced by the portrayals we see on television.

These dreams typically revolve around sports and entertainment. I have distinct memories of being a young boy with aspirations to join the NBA, dedicating all my time to playing basketball. I also took up music writing, like many teenagers facing life's challenges. However, when our backup plans are stripped away, what options remain for young adults other than loitering on the streets? I have personally witnessed things being removed from my neighborhood; in our early teens,

they removed the basketball hoop at the nearby park.

There is currently a shortage of ball playing spaces in our area, which forces us to go to other parks where we may encounter fights with rivals from different neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there are no programs available in my community that can provide children with alternatives to being on the streets. Additionally, job opportunities within local communities are widely acknowledged as insufficient. For instance, in a city with a population of one million people, there are only one thousand businesses offering employment. As a result, some individuals will be unemployed while others may opt to start their own business in pursuit of success.

The government bears responsibility for the situations that drive some people to engage in risky and unlawful means of earning a livelihood, such as drug trafficking, criminal activities, theft, prostitution, and gambling. These lifestyles can be harmful and carry severe consequences like death or lengthy imprisonment. The presence of drugs has led to divisions and substantial damage within families. Numerous individuals from minority backgrounds grow up in single-parent households without sufficient guidance to help children make proper decisions. Usually, the mother is the sole parent relying on government assistance.

In certain situations, individuals may become involved with a local dealer who is willing to provide financial assistance. Drug addiction can lead to the destruction of families and neglect of members due to the addict's habits. The severity of the addiction can also impact the development of newborn babies who are born addicted to drugs and suffer from malnutrition. Neglecting to change diapers can cause skin rashes, as money is spent on purchasing drugs instead

of necessities like a bundle of diapers for $10.00, which is equivalent to the cost of a small bag of marijuana.

Child protection services remove children from parents who use drugs because they neglect their children and may become violent towards others. Numerous stories exist about abusive parents who are alcoholics or drug users. Children growing up in such an environment either abstain from drugs and alcohol as adults due to negative childhood experiences, or perpetuate the cycle of dealing and using.

The table provided shows the lifetime prevalence of drug and alcohol use among individuals with different education levels. There are parents who prioritize spending money on drugs instead of their children's welfare. This lack of support can push their children into selling drugs at a young age. I personally know several individuals who began dealing drugs when they were 13 years old, leading to multiple felony charges on their criminal records. As many companies are hesitant to hire those with felony convictions, these individuals feel compelled to continue selling drugs in order to gather funds for starting a small business.

The disadvantaged inner city youths have become accustomed to their difficult lives, leading others to feel sympathy for them. However, I believe that the government allocates excessive funds towards drugs rather than the well-being of its citizens. In certain cities, there is an excessive expenditure on investigations and drug raids, which could instead be utilized to create jobs and provide assistance to the people. This would help combat the rampant drug issue. Americans often turn to drugs as a means of escaping the harsh realities they face on a daily basis such as

stress, poverty, and the challenges present in ghetto communities. This chain reaction begins with a lack of proper upbringing and inadequate schools that do not prioritize learning or student safety. The motivation to make money becomes paramount, disregarding the potential consequences as there are no guarantees for tomorrow. Consequently, this impacts the school system when drugs infiltrate the community, causing a decline in educational standards. Some schools are even forced to implement metal detectors due to students carrying guns for protection or for retaliatory purposes, further demonstrating how violence permeates local high schools within the city.

Schools in urban communities are central to gang activity, as different neighborhood sets vie against each other. Within high school bathrooms, students partake in drug use and stash alcohol in their lockers. Drug transactions take place in classrooms, hallways, and during lunchtime, primarily involving marijuana and ecstasy pills. Young dealers have a reputation for staying out late into the night until morning when they must attend school, which is commonly referred to as "Staying on the grind" (Dealer 1, 2008).

A growing number of students are opting to leave school so they can sell drugs and provide for themselves and their children, if applicable. Numerous children come from households with only one parent, leading to limited supervision and the freedom to wander the streets both day and night. In cities such as Detroit, MI, teenagers prioritize making money over going to school due to the highly materialistic atmosphere. Instead of studying for tests, it seems more logical to them to stay out a bit longer and earn an extra $200 in order to buy the newest sneakers.

If schools

provided financial rewards for good attendance, I believe there would be a notable rise in student enrollment. This could help alleviate the problem of schools failing to meet mandatory enrollment and consequently shutting down. Unfortunately, this issue has resulted in several high schools facing closure. Sadly, the situation deteriorates as more students leave high school due to various challenges they encounter. Certain adolescents are unable to attend school because they are incarcerated, pregnant, engaged in drug dealing, or working extended hours to support their families with aspirations of bettering their lives.

School closures force active students to enroll in alternate schools, resulting in overcrowding and some students having to stand. The presence of drugs in urban communities triggers a significant chain reaction - one person's addiction sets off a destructive domino effect that can ruin lives. How much longer will this cycle persist? Drugs not only affect the education system but also contribute to an escalation in crime and violence within the community. Drug users often get arrested for stealing from local stores as they frequently exchange these stolen items for drugs.

In regions with a significant drug trade, there is typically a constant presence of prostitutes attempting to earn money for buying drugs. At party stores and gas stations, one can frequently encounter homeless individuals and alcoholics seeking financial support for their drinking habits. Certain law-abiding citizens may also become victims of home invasions carried out by drug addicts desperate for money or valuable items that they can exchange for drugs. The graph provided below showcases the patterns in offenses within the United States as documented in the "Uniform Crime Reports" (FBI, 1934-1990).

The

success of big time drug dealers often leads to their demise, initiating a never-ending cycle of retribution. Rival gangs or drug lords will stop at nothing to expand their business, even resorting to eliminating their competition. At times, their greed compels them to eliminate rivals and monopolize the drug trade. As a prerequisite for selling drugs, they must purchase them from more successful dealers. To ascend to a higher position, they must remove these dealers from the equation, seizing both the money and drugs from the transaction. This relentless pursuit of wealth and control drives some dealers to become heartless, resorting to any means necessary to dominate the lucrative streets.