Drugs were never the primary problem, it was institutionalized racism in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

In New York City, the Rockafeller drugs laws have only recently been overturned. There should never have been mandatory minimum sentences imposed for crack cocaine users and dealers while powdered cocaine was prosecuted less vindictively.

The source of the problem is the vile mistreatment of petty criminals in prisons. The hate on the streets is coming from inside the prison walls. Petty drug offenses should not be used as a carte blanch justification for destroying families and fortunes.

I know this because two members of my family have spent years in prison for marijuana. It was not good for my family and it contributed to fear and violence in my community. In the case of my family, it was not racially motivated drug persecution, it was culture-war.

The secondary source of fear and danger in the streets comes from the brutality inflicted on and by our military personnel. War abroad yields hardened veterans returning, and treated with disregard by society.

How many gangs, black, white and spanish, will become more dangerous and well-armed as a result of new members coming home from the military?

Regarding gangs is that they're never going away. They can reduce their violence, but there will never be a day when gangs don't exist. Therefore, concerned citizens and officials can only appeal to gang leaders to be just and to prefer non-violence whenever possible.

The reason gangs will not cease to exist is because people will always form these groups based on identification. It's an ancient social phenomenon which cannot be stopped, and it is not even desirable that it should be stopped. Gangsters must improve themselves, but they'll never cease to identify with each other.

wrong!..Drugs and money are the major issue in the hoods..they demand respect without being respectful..they sell drugs for money, shoot and kill for respect and territory..and when sh*t hits the fan on an innocent person they want justice..and that's why the cops dont even bother going in neighborhoods to protect and serve there because they are seen as the enemy..so how do u solve this issue?... only the people living in those neighborhoods can solve this issue, with support from the state and local enforcement things can change..but what keeps this from happening..INTIMIDATION FROM HOODLUMS THAT CLAIM TO BE HARD WHEN IN FACT THEY HAVE NO EDUCATION OR RESPECT FOR ANYTHING BUT THEMSELVES.. REALTALK