CROWTHER JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership and involvement in criminal behavior in urban areas have continued to generate heated discussions among experts, practitioners, and the general public; when a person who both abuses drug and alcohol is also a member of a local gang, then the chances of involvement in criminal behavior is increased. Generally, criminality in human beings is attributed to either personal mental depravity or weakness of character. However, persons with balanced emotional and physical health normally do not indulge in criminality or some form of aggressive behavior. Mostly young people who both abuse drug and alcohol and belong to gangs are associated with most violence in society. Violent conducts tend to occur mostly in urban cities such as Awka Metropolitan Area in Anambra State. Questions have been raised as to the reasons violence appear to persist in most urban areas, as well to the connection between illegal drug use, gang membership and involvement in criminal behavior. Social process theories suggest that this type of behavior can be explained from the process of interaction between individuals and society. Theories here assume that everybody has the potential to violate the law and that criminality is not innate human characteristics, rather criminal behavior is learned in interaction with others, and the socialization process occurring because of group membership is seen as the primary route through which learning takes place. Both drug and alcohol abuse and gang membership are the result of individual choice and learned behavior. The Government, the family and other social groups have failed in their duties to individuals and society; hence escalation of involvement in criminal behavior. Though there appears to be a strong link between drug abuse, gang membership and crime, such that these directly lead to criminal activity; or that those who use illegal drugs generally commit more crime than those who do not, the link is complex. Other factors in the individual and environment must also be considered in seeking explanation. There will be need for cooperative and collaborative action where stake holders are involved in rescuing young people from engaging in anti-social behavior through targeted interventions for a better, peaceful, prosperous, and safe urban cities.

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