The Gang Alternative: A Participant Perspective

Date
2012-12
Authors
Mills, Robert Graham
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Publisher
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina
Abstract

Gang activity has increased in Regina over the past ten to fifteen years and has attracted considerable attention ostensibly contributing to higher crime rates and the abundance of drugs. As a result the public pressure on government to slow and reverse this proliferation of gangs is also growing. This is not a phenomenon unique to Regina yet the factors leading to gang proliferation in Regina among Aboriginal youth are vaguely understood at best. This results in an increased likelihood of faulty theorizing as to what are these risk factors and ineffective prevention and intervention programs. Through interviews with gang involved individuals, an understanding of why youth in Regina find the gang lifestyle an attractive option was developed. While this alone will not delineate the blueprint of custom-made programming to address this proliferation, it has added to the body of knowledge with respect to risk factors in Regina. In doing so, this work can ultimately contribute to the development of more effective and defendable gang reduction strategies in Regina. Keywords: gangs; gang involvement; risk factors; Regina; aboriginal; youth

Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Police Studies, University of Regina. x, 151 l.
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