Pubdate: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2009 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/IuiAC7IZ Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82 Author: Michael R. Butz WHY GANGS EXIST There is but one truly realistic way to substantially reduce the type of gang violence that led to the horrific murder of Derrion Albert: decriminalize drugs. It is time to seriously consider why gangs exist, what causes the violence and what can be done about it. It is time to end the propaganda about how terrible drugs are and understand that it is not the drugs themselves that cause this, it is the fact that they are illegal. Save our children. Be brave and intelligent enough to see the solution and not be afraid of it. Michael R. Butz, Chicago - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D