Pubdate: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 TACKLING GANG VIOLENCE When a young man dies in a gang-style shooting, it is tempting to place at least some of the blame on his parents. We've heard of cases, after all, where the parents were fully aware of what their sons were up to--even proud of their young "warriors" for the power, money and prestige they brought to the family. But how does one explain what happened in Bobby Singh's case? His brother, Kuldeep, died in an apparent gang shooting, while Bobby went on to become a professional football player and role model. Clearly, a young person's upbringing is only part of the complex set of influences that helps to form a person's destiny. Parents need to provide the structure and support that puts their kids on the right path. And immigrants need to be especially vigilant, because their kids are the most vulnerable to the lures of gangs. But drugs and gang culture are so powerful, so corrupting, so "cool" that even kids from good families can find themselves sucked in to a lifestyle that offers easy money, power, excitement and--more often than not--a dead-end street. B.C.'s Solicitor-General Kash Heed understands the problem and is making some small but important steps for which he deserves credit. His ministry is investing $162,000 in a program involving the BC Lions that is aimed at giving teens a healthy alternative. The program includes a flag football league for kids at risk. The B.C. government has been taking a lot of flak for cutting community grants while spending too much money on the Winter Games. This is one investment we can get behind. Given the costs of prosecuting and imprisoning a single offender, this is the kind of investment that will pay for itself even if it prevents just one young person from taking a wrong turn in life. It may even prove a good investment for the BC Lions. Who knows--there might be another Bobby Singh out there. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart