Drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents in a rural farming community in Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

We examined drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents of a migrant farming community in rural Baja California, Mexico. In October 2010, 164 members of a single colonia (community) underwent an interviewer-administered survey to assess ‘exposure to gang violence’ and ‘drug-scene familiarity’, as well as other health indicators. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of exposure to gang violence. Overall, 20% of participants were male, the median age was 27 years, 24% spoke an indigenous language, 42% reported exposure to gang violence, and 39% reported drug-scene familiarity. Factors independently associated with exposure to gang violence included being younger (AOR=0.80 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=0.67–0.96), living in the community longer (AOR=1.47 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.11–1.72), higher educational attainment (AOR=1.70 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.07–1.12), and drug-scene familiarity (AOR=5.10, 95%CI=2.39–10.89). Exposure to gang violence was very common in this community and was associated with drug-scene familiarity, suggesting a close relationship between drugs and gang violence in this rural community. In a region characterised by mass migration from poorer parts of Mexico, where drugs and gangs have not been previously reported, emerging social harms may affect these communities unless interventions are implemented.

Criminality and Sexual Behaviours in Substance Dependents Seeking Treatment

“…However, in the present study, the presence of a severe drug problem increased the likelihood of that person having committed a crime (Volkmann et al 2013) against persons or property. Other studies have found a relationship of polydrug use, crack or alcohol dependence, and severity of dependence with high rates of crimes against property (Dias et al 2011;Volkmann et al 2013). In a study on the geography of crime in the city of Sao Paulo, crimes against property exhibited an actual growth of 72.6% in the past decade, which was mainly due to the increase in crack use (Souza 2011).…”

“…From there, the information was classified along two dimensions: the nature of the crime (violent or nonviolent) and the target of crime (against the person, property, burglary). This method of classification has been used in prior research (Rodrigues et al 2012;Valdez, Kaplan, and Cepeda 2006;Volkmann et al 2013).…”

Applying a ‘harm to others’ research framework to illicit drugs: political discourses and ambiguous policy implications

“…In thinking about 'harm to others' from illicit drugs, two different sources of harm come to mind: first, harm to others can accrue through the illicit drug market and its associated criminal activity [26][27][28][29]. In terms of drug use markets, this harm is largely experienced by community members through either fear of crime, crime itself or costs such as heightened insurance premiums due to crime rates.…”

Female Ex-Offender Perspectives on Drug Initiation, Relapse, and Desire to Remain Drug Free

“…In fact, others have found that weak ties to parents, school, and conventional peers increase the probability of the initiation and continuation of deviant behaviors such as drug use and crime (Cepeda, Saint Onge, Nowotny, & Valdez, 2015). Further, it is important to note that others have found that drug scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence are often interconnected (Volkmann et al, 2013). Intervention programs which focus on helping recently released ex-offenders gain a sense of control over positive decision making support the theoretical framework that underpins this study and resonates with the needs articulated by the participants.…”