FROM OUR CEO

Gangs and drugs.

With an upswing in gang-related murders, drug overdose deaths and all that comes with unchecked violence and untreated addiction, Long Island is struggling under the weight of two problems that have cracked our suburban veneer.

There’s a connection between these two challenges, but it’s probably not what you think. Sure, gangs sell drugs and the heroin trade has surely bolstered organized crime in our area as thousands of addicted young people travel into Hempstead, Central Islip and Brentwood to get their fix.

But the common denominator here is hopelessness, sadness and despair.

Gangs create alternative realities – a family, a sense of belonging, a sense of certainty and a sense of power. Opioids, heroin and other drugs numb pain, calm the nerves and allow a temporary escape. Without intervention and support, addiction deepens, gets progressively worse and often ends with jails, institutions or death. The same goes for gang membership.

Maybe that’s why we approach both problems in the same way: we declare war.

We ratchet up the rhetoric, increase criminal penalties and proclaim “zero tolerance.” We give law enforcement new guns, helicopters, and personnel.

We tamp down the problem just enough to quell the public outrage and fear, but it seems we never get to the root causes.

Kids join gangs because in some communities it’s easier to get a gun than it is to get a high school diploma or a job. They use drugs because it’s easier to get heroin than it is to get mental health treatment or addiction services. Arrest one gang member or drug dealer and two more will take their place. Despite outward appearances, they’ll do it somewhat reluctantly and after traveling a road that brings them to that place. That’s precisely where and when we should be intervening.

Instead, we wait until the problem deepens. Then we try to wrestle that gun or needle from their hands as they hold on for dear life.

War is ugly, dangerous, scary and threatening. It’s a primitive response that’s not working.

As we deploy more cops, how about we also deploy more social workers? Let’s replace crime scenes with community centers and counseling programs. Let’s trade targeted investigations for targeted training that leads to well-paying jobs. Let’s counter gang recruitment tactics with multi-generational strategies that help families exit gang life. Let’s clean-up and rebuild our community parks, make sure there are things for kids to do and help indigenous community leaders change the culture from inside.

And here’s a novel idea: Let’s ask some individuals, families, and communities what they think will work.