Why do they want you?

Gangs are always looking for new members. And they like to get at kids when they’re young.

They think you’re dumb and desperate enough to do the work and take the risks to make them rich. But whatever they promise you, just remember – you’re being used.

How do they try and suck you in?

At first, they’ll try making you feel important. You’ll go to parties, get some free drugs. Maybe they’re promising you easy money.

What they’re really doing is figuring out how to take advantage of you.

They watch for kids who:
• don’t have money
• aren’t doing well at school
• are having trouble at home
• have family members with gang ties
• have parents who use alcohol and drugs

But even if this doesn’t apply, you’re still a target as long as you’re young.

Getting Beat-In

If you join a gang, the first thing that happens is your initiation. They want you to prove you’re going to be loyal and will do their dirty work for them without question.

Getting initiated usually means getting ‘beat-in’ – you get the crap beaten out of you by a bunch of gang members.

What are the realities of gang life?

Gangs will promise you a lot of things:
• money
• protection
• a sense of “family” to look after you
• drugs
• expensive gifts
…and anything else they think will get you to join them.

But it’s really all about violence, crime and wasted days. It isn’t the gangsta s*** you see in music videos. The truth is gangs take everything from you – your freedom, your power, your future.

Don’t get sucked in.

Don’t join a gang.

Girls and gangs

You join a gang and you become the gang’s property.

You’re going to take the same risks the guys do – the crime, drugs and dirty work – but you’ll never be like they are. In a gang, you have no power. And you never will.

Once you’re property, you can be raped and assaulted whenever they want. And they’ll use you by pimping you out to whatever guy comes along.

Your home life may be s***, but gang life is worse. Talk to friends… family… anyone you think can help you from getting sucked in – or to get out if you’re already in.