The use of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or Ecstasy is a phenomenon that has established itself in the widespread Rave culture. Ecstasy use causes not only physical, social and psychological problems in the development of the adolescent but may also influence his concentration and learning abilities. To prevent these problems educators should be well informed regarding current drug use trends and also be capable of assisting adolescents. Research regarding the nature of Ecstasy use and the characteristics of its users is lacking nationally. The increase in use amongst school going adolescents and young adults and the fact that there are side effects and unknown long term effects has made it imperative that educators learn as much as possible about this drug. The purpose of this research is therefore to furnish the educator with accurate information that will enable him to obtain a reference point from which assistance can be offered to the young Ecstasy user. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

Using both qualitative and quantitative research designs, this study focused on the knowledge of Children Protective Services (CPS) social workers for identifying Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) risk factors in their clients, and the impact that these AOD issues have on the child welfare system in San Bernardino County, California.

This study was designed to understand the meaning of the lived experiences of incarcerated male juveniles who had committed drug-related crimes and to suggest guidelines for their rehabilitation with specific reference to their health care needs. In order to achieve these objectives, the researcher used Parse’s (1998) Theory of Human Becoming as a theoretical framework for the study and Parse’s (1998, 2005) phenomenological-hermeneutic research method. This study was restricted to three juvenile correctional centres in the Gauteng province, Republic of South Africa (RSA). A sample of 15 male juveniles (5 at each of the three juvenile correctional centres) was used for the purpose of individual dialogical engagements with the participants. Focus group interview sessions were held with two groups (5 members per group) at two identified juvenile correctional centres. A qualitative content analysis according to methods recommended by Graneheim and Lundman (2004) was performed on the data that was collected from the individual dialogical-engagements and the focus group interviews. The researcher attempted to elucidate the meanings that the participants attached to their experiences of incarceration as narrated by them and analysed the data according to Parse’s (1998; 2005) phenomenological-hermeneutic method comprising of extraction-synthesis and heuristic interpretation. The findings of this research confirm that problems of drug abuse and criminal activity represent a multifaceted, complex and often intractable phenomenon. The research also confirmed that the participants suffer from a variety of emotional and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, fear, guilt, remorse, regret and a craving for the drugs that they had abused before their incarceration. It appears that the participants find it extremely difficult to deal effectively with these disorders on their own and that they are generally averse to asking for professional help and assistance. Interventions to alleviate these problems are crucial for the success of the current rehabilitation programmes being pursued in the correctional centres where the participants are accommodated. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Drug abuse is a very common problem these days; and this problem is especially rampant among the young people of South Africa. Early problems in family management, the antisocial behaviour of the child, and peer pressure and rejection ignite the early onset of substance abuse. Treatment programmes and therapeutic methods to treat chemical dependency are available and utilised, but the high relapse rate and lack of support from family members and dysfunctional families, as well as the fears and challenges expressed by in-patient youth about being reintegrated with their families and a lack of supporting literature in this regard remain a cause for concern and need to be considered by the social work profession in order to plan effective intervention strategies. In response to this situation a research project was undertaken with the purpose of exploring and describing the perceptions, expectations, fears and needs of chemically dependent youth in a rehabilitation centre about being integrated into their family systems in an attempt to forward recommendations to assist social workers in rendering effective therapeutic services to service users in rehabilitation centres who have a substance abuse problem. A qualitative approach was utilised following an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The study was conducted at an in-patient rehabilitation centre called the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Cullinan, Gauteng Province in South Africa. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. A sample of participants was selected by using purposive sampling from a population of service users in the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Centre who are chemically dependent. Data were analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch (cited in Creswell, 2003). Guba‘s model (cited in Krefting, 1991) was employed for data verification. The research findings point to the fact that participants had both negative and positive perceptions about going back to their respective families. On the one hand, there were negative perceptions shared. These were founded on a feeling of worry about the fact that their families criticised them a lot or that their families would not accept that they had changed, would still treat them like addicts, and not trust them. Furthermore, they feared relapse, triggers in their environment and family members who were abusing a substance. On the other hand, some participants perceived the reintegration with their families, following treatment, in a positive light as they were looking forward to joining them again after being in v treatment for three months.They were excited about the fact that they had been granted an opportunity where they could show their families that they have changed and have the chance of starting a new life. Moreover, part of the research findings point to the fact that some of the participants‘ families had already organised employment, a place for them to stay and financial assistance. From the research findings it became clear that the participants harboured the following expectations towards the families with whom they were reuniting: They need the family‘s love and support; to trust them again: to mend severed relationships and spend quality time together; to provide practical and material help, and for the family to be educated on addiction and for the family to accompany them to aftercare. In terms of research findings directed at the site (i.e., the rehabilitation centre) where the research was conducted the participants indicated that they needed more activities, they would like their families to be part of their recovery process, and expressed the need for individual sessions apart from group sessions and aftercare services. In terms of recommendations it was apparent that community members, community organisations and the government sector need to develop and launch chemical substance abuse prevention and awareness programmes through various media, (i.e. articles in newspapers, magazines, talks and documentaries on radio and television, community gatherings and meetings in all communities). Moreover, it is recommended that parents should take responsibility for monitoring and countering substance abuse in their children. Families need to be empowered through talks, attending parenting skills training, workshops and group meetings. South Africa needs to develop a policy focusing on families. Furthermore, it is recommended that treatment centres need to provide individual sessions, family therapy, aftercare services and more extramural activities, if these are not included in their treatment regime. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

Whoonga is a relatively new addition into the drug market. The need for this study was prompted by the devastating effects this new arrival has had in the lives of young people addicted to it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whoonga on the learning of affected youth in Kwa-Dabeka Township. This study adopted a qualitative method and employed a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of participants with regard to whoonga use and their learning. Data was collected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted, using semi-structured and unstructured questions with the help of an interview guide. Observations were also conducted to collect more data. This was done in the classroom during teaching and learning, as well as outside the classroom during recess. The study employed a social learning theoretical framework on the experiences of participants with regard to the use of whoonga. Four participants from one high school in Kwa-Dabeka Township were involved in the study. Themes that emerged from the study were that all the participants were totally ignorant of what they were getting themselves into before they started using whoonga. Peer pressure, coupled with curiosity made their decision to use whoonga easy. Challenges that participants face now on daily basis are far beyond their young age. The findings have indicated that learning is a situation of near impossibility for the participants. The findings have also depicted a picture of young people who are trapped in a vicious cycle of one of life‟s harshest living conditions in terms of their encounters with parents, school and the communities they come from. Despite their hopes for a brighter future one day, participants see no end in sight for their suffering at the hands of this unforgiving, destructive drug at this point in time. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Kaapse Vlakte, die konteks vir die studie, word onder andere gekenmerk deur sy lae sosio-ekonomiese status, hoë werkloosheid, bende-aktiwiteite, gesinsgeweld, gebroke gesinstrukture en dwelmafhanklikheid. Tienerdogters wat in gemeenskappe op die Kaapse Vlakte opgroei, word daagliks aan hierdie hindernisse blootgestel, wat hulle meer vatbaar maak vir die misbruik van dwelmmiddels. Die doel van die studie was om tienermeisies in ’n benadeelde gemeenskap wat dwelmmiddels gebruik, se perspektiewe met betrekking tot dwelmmisbruik te ondersoek. Die studie het ’n genderperspektief aangeneem, met ander woorde dit het vroue as subjekte sentraal geplaas en hulle probleem met dwelmmisbruik ondersoek. Min navorsing oor dwelmmisbruik fokus op vroue, ten spyte van ’n veronderstelling dat misbruik onder vroue ernstige gevolge vir die samelewing inhou. Aangesien ek gepoog het om hierdie tienermeisies se behoeftes aan ondersteuning en moontlike maniere waarop hierdie behoeftes aangespreek kan word, te verstaan en te beskryf, het ek van ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak en die studie vanuit ’n interprevistiese paradigma benader. Data is met behulp van onderhoude, persoonlike refleksies en observasies bekom. Die navorsingsbevindinge het getoon dat die tienerdogters se huislike omstandighede deur enkelouerskap en afwesige vaderskap vererger word, dat daar ’n gebrek aan kommunikasie tuis is en dat hulle behoeftes aan liefde en emosionele sekuriteit uitspreek. Die tienerdogters voer aan dat hulle dwelms gebruik om van hul probleme tuis te ontvlug. In hierdie studie oor tienerdogters se redes vir en perspektiewe ten opsigte van dwelmmisbruik, toon data dat hulle duidelike behoeftes aan ondersteuning het - tuis sowel as in die samelewing waarin hulle leef. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Cape Flats is characterized by low socio-economic status, high unemployment, gang activities, crime, domestic violence, broken family structures and drug dependency. As a teenage girl, living in communities on the Cape Flats, there is often the possibility of being vulnerable to the misuse of drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of teenage girls using drugs in a disadvantaged community. The study adopted a gendered perspective that places women as subjects central to the problem of drug abuse. Little research focuses on women using drugs despite the consequences it poses for society. The study attempts to understand and describe teenage girls’ need for support as well as ways in which their needs can be addressed. A qualitative interpretivist research design was used to gain insight into and understanding of the participants’ perspectives. The data were collected by means of interviews, reflective diaries and observations. The research findings indicate that single parenting and absent fathers worsen the teenage girls’ home circumstances, that there is a lack of communication at home and that they express a need for love and emotional security. Furthermore, teenage girls use drugs to escape from the problems they face at home. The results suggest a need for adequate and appropriate support in the home environment as well as in society.

L’image qu’a la population du phénomène des gangs est fortement influencée par les médias. Les informations véhiculées par les journaux et par les canaux de nouvelles mettent généralement l’emphase sur les stéréotypes associés aux gangs et aux comportements de ces derniers. Ceci a pour conséquence de rehausser la crainte que développe la population à l’endroit des gangs de rue. Dans un contexte où le phénomène des gangs paraît devenu omniprésent dans nos quartiers, nos villes et représente une problématique en expansion dans plusieurs grandes villes du Québec et du Canada, une attention particulière portée au trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs de rue, reconnu par plusieurs comme la principale activité des gangs de rue, revêt sans nul doute un grand intérêt. Obtenir la description la plus précise possible, faite par des membres ou d’ex-membres de gangs de rue, à partir de leurs connaissances concernant le trafic de drogues étant donné leur appartenance et leur implication dans les activités d’un gang de rue et, le cas échéant, le trafic de drogues effectué par ce dernier, représente l’objectif principal de la présente étude. C’est par le biais d’entrevues avec les principaux concernés que le trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs est abordé. Au total, quinze entrevues semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de membres et ex-membres de gangs de rue, tous – à une exception près - pris en charge au Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Globalement, il ressort de cette étude qu’en plus du trafic de stupéfiants, les gangs ou les membres de gangs s’adonneraient à une délinquance polymorphe, le trafic étant rarement l’unique source de revenus du gang ou du membre. De plus, le trafic de stupéfiants ne serait pas une activité exclusive aux gangs de rue auxquels appartiennent les membres interviewés. Ainsi, même si l’on retrouve un certain nombre de membres participant à la vente comme activité structurée d’un gang, il est possible pour un membre d’effectuer de la vente de drogues de façon indépendante, tout en étant affilié à un gang de rue. Il appert que la plupart des interviewés font partie d’une clique, s’identifient à une couleur ou à un quartier, et s’approvisionnent en drogues auprès de membres plus âgés et hauts placés dans la structure des gangs de rue, que les répondants identifient comme étant les vétérans. En ce qui les concerne, les répondants signalent l’importance de gagner la confiance des plus haut placés s’ils souhaitent débuter et évoluer dans la vente de stupéfiants. Lorsque la confiance est présente et que le nouveau vendeur débute ses activités, soit il s’approprie un territoire, généralement à l’intérieur de son quartier, soit on lui fournit un endroit de vente où il peut « travailler ». La présence d’un membre de la famille déjà affilié à un gang paraît faciliter le processus d’accès des nouveaux à l’activité de trafic. Lorsque les interviewés abordent l’aspect du territoire de vente, plusieurs dimensions viennent s’y greffer : la compétition, les conflits, les interactions avec les gangs ennemis et la violence, pour ne nommer que celles-là. Les interviewés indiquent vendre une certaine variété de drogues, le cannabis et le crack représentant les deux drogues les plus couramment citées. La marge de profits varierait, entre autres, en fonction du type de drogue vendue, du quartier et des caractéristiques de la clientèle. Cette dernière, malgré qu’elle soit diversifiée, comporte une constante : les consommateurs dépendants sont, comme plusieurs interviewés l’ont mentionné, prêts à tout pour assurer leur consommation. Les consommateurs sont ordinairement des étudiants, des propriétaires de commerces, des employés de bars, des travailleurs de la construction, des itinérants, des prostitués, des fêtards, des voyageurs de passage à Montréal. Les répondants dénotent également la présence de policiers, agents doubles, pouvant se présenter comme clients. Ceci étant, il leur apparaît essentiel de développer des habiletés permettant de détecter la présence policière et la distinguer des clients réguliers. Côté consommation, les interviewés affirment se limiter presqu’essentiellement à l’alcool et au cannabis. Néanmoins, plusieurs avouent avoir consommé une grande variété d’intoxicants au cours de leur vie. Plusieurs signalent qu’une trop grande consommation nuit à la vente de stupéfiants. / In a context where the gang phenomenon has become omnipresent in our neighbourhoods and represents a growing problem in several large cities in Quebec and Canada, paying particular attention to drug trafficking by members of street gangs is undoubtedly of great interest. The media strongly influences the image of gang phenomenon. As information conveyed by newspapers and news channels focus on the stereotypes associated with gangs and their behaviour, it enhances the fear that society has regarding street gangs. That being said, to shed light on gangs and their activities is an interest. We chose to focus on drug trafficking which is common in street gangs. The main objective of this research is to obtain the most accurate description and knowledge of drug trafficking from present and former street gang members related to their knowledge of drug trafficking as a result of their membership and their involvement in street gang activities. Drug trafficking is addressed through interviews with gang members. In total, fifteen semi-directive interviews were conducted among present and former gang members. All respondents but one were from the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Overall, this study allows us to understand that in addition to drug trafficking, gangs or gang members indulge in polymorphic criminal activities; drug trafficking is rarely the sole source of income. Moreover, drug trafficking is not an activity exclusive to street gangs. Thus, even if a number of members are involved in drug sales as a structured gang activity, it is possible for a member to sell drugs on a freelance basis while being affiliated with a street gang. It appears that most respondents are part of a clique, identify a color or a district and buy drugs from older and higher ranked members that respondents identify as veterans. Regarding the veterans, respondents indicated the importance of being trusted by the highest ranked if they wish to evolve in the drug sales market. When trust is present and the new seller begins his activities, either he takes over a turf, usually within his area, or the veteran provides a place where the new seller can "work". The presence of a family member already affiliated to a gang seems to facilitate the process of access to new trafficking activities. There are several dimensions associated with the territory aspect according to the interviewees such as: competition, conflict, interactions with rival gangs and violence, to name a few. Members indicate selling a variety of drugs, cannabis and crack representing the two most commonly cited drugs. The profit margin varies among the type of drugs sold, the district and of customers’ characteristics. The customers, although diverse in nature, have something in common: addicted customers, as several interviewees have mentioned, are desperate to ensure their consumption. These are typically homeless, prostitutes, bars’ employees, partygoers and foreigners/ travellers. Respondents also indicate the presence of undercover police officers, which may arise as customers. Thus, it is essential to develop skills allowing them to distinguish the undercover police officers from regular customers. Regarding drug use, respondents assert themselves using mostly alcohol and cannabis. However, several admitted to having used a large variety of intoxicants during their lives.

Seulement une minorité d’adolescents qui consomment des substances psychoactives développe des problèmes significatifs reliés à cette consommation. Il importe donc de connaître et de comprendre les processus par lesquels se développe la consommation problématique afin de pouvoir la prévenir. Cette étude examine le rôle des symptômes dépressifs et des relations sociales dans le développement de la consommation problématique à l’adolescence. Plus précisément, elle vise à déterminer, à l’aide d’un devis longitudinal corrélationnel prospectif, si le soutien des pairs, le soutien des parents et la qualité de la relation maître-élève ont des effets modérateurs protecteurs sur la relation entre les symptômes dépressifs et la consommation problématique. L’échantillon utilisé pour cette étude est tiré de la Stratégie d’Intervention Agir Autrement et comprend 4473 adolescents. Des régressions linéaires multiples ont été effectuées et ont démontré que les symptômes dépressifs et le soutien des parents augmentent le risque d’une consommation problématique, alors que le soutien des pairs le diminue. De plus, les résultats confirment le rôle protecteur du soutien des pairs, mais indiquent que le soutien des parents exacerbe le lien entre les symptômes dépressifs et la consommation problématique. Par ailleurs, la qualité de la relation maître-élève est associée à une consommation moins problématique uniquement chez les jeunes qui n’ont pas beaucoup de symptômes dépressifs. Les implications de ces résultats sont discutées. / Of adolescents who use drugs, only a minority develops significant problems related to this drug use. It is then relevant to know and understand the processes by which this problematic consumption develops itself in order to be able to prevent it. This study examines the roles of depression symptoms and social relationships in the development of problematic drug use at the adolescence. More precisely, it aims at determining, with the help of a prospective correlational longitudinal design, if peers support, parental support and the quality of the teacher-student relationship have moderator effects on the relationship between depressive symptoms and problematic drug use. The sample used for this study is taken from the Stratégie d’Intervention Agir Autrement and is comprised of 4473 teenagers. Multiple linear regressions were completed and showed that depressive symptoms enhance the risk of a problematic drug use to be developed, whereas peers support impairs it. Contrary to what was expected, results show that parental support enhances the risk of developing a problematic drug use and that the teacher-student relationship has no significant impact. Moreover, peers support has a protective role, parental support intensifies the relationship between depressive symptoms and problematic drug use, whereas the quality of the teacher-student relationship attenuates it.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the nature, scope, and consequences of drug and alcohol use by students enrolled at three southern Appalachian community colleges: Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in Virginia, Northeast State Technical Community College (NSTCC) in Tennessee, and Southwestern Community College (SCC) in North Carolina. An additional purpose was to use this information to formulate recommendations for new and improved preventive substance-abuse programs. The design for this study was descriptive research. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey (CORE) was selected as the appropriate instrument for use in this study. The 23-item questionnaire was designed specifically to investigate the nature, scope, and consequences of alcohol and drug use of students who attend the three southern Appalachian community colleges. A proportional stratified sampling procedure was utilized to select clusters (classes) at each community college. A total of 1,101 surveys was collected. Four research questions and 22 hypotheses were addressed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Somers' D. The researcher, using the.05 level of significance, rejected nine null hypotheses and failed to reject 13 null hypotheses. Forty-eight percent of the students used alcohol in the past 30 days. Forty-six percent of underage (younger than 21) students drank (indicated alcohol use at least once in previous 30 days). Twenty-six percent of students had "binged" in the previous two weeks. The data in this research showed the following: (1) no relationship existed between the use of alcohol and the age groups, (2) a difference existed between the age groups in their use of marijuana, amphetamines, and sedatives, and (3) a difference existed between the use of alcohol, and marijuana, and grade-point averages. Twenty-five percent of the students have used marijuana (at least once in the past year). The most frequently reported illegal drugs used in the past 30 days were: 17% marijuana, 7% amphetamines and 7% sedatives. Key findings on the consequences of alcohol and drug use are as follows: 38% reported some form of public misconduct and 18% reported experiencing some kind of personal injury at least once during the past year as a result of drinking or drug use. Findings of the study showed that no difference existed between mates' and females' perception of the alcohol and drug policies, regulations and prevention programs on campus. The study also revealed no difference existed among the age groups' perception of the alcohol and drug policies, regulations, and prevention programs.

L’image qu’a la population du phénomène des gangs est fortement influencée par les médias. Les informations véhiculées par les journaux et par les canaux de nouvelles mettent généralement l’emphase sur les stéréotypes associés aux gangs et aux comportements de ces derniers. Ceci a pour conséquence de rehausser la crainte que développe la population à l’endroit des gangs de rue. Dans un contexte où le phénomène des gangs paraît devenu omniprésent dans nos quartiers, nos villes et représente une problématique en expansion dans plusieurs grandes villes du Québec et du Canada, une attention particulière portée au trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs de rue, reconnu par plusieurs comme la principale activité des gangs de rue, revêt sans nul doute un grand intérêt. Obtenir la description la plus précise possible, faite par des membres ou d’ex-membres de gangs de rue, à partir de leurs connaissances concernant le trafic de drogues étant donné leur appartenance et leur implication dans les activités d’un gang de rue et, le cas échéant, le trafic de drogues effectué par ce dernier, représente l’objectif principal de la présente étude. C’est par le biais d’entrevues avec les principaux concernés que le trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs est abordé. Au total, quinze entrevues semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de membres et ex-membres de gangs de rue, tous – à une exception près - pris en charge au Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Globalement, il ressort de cette étude qu’en plus du trafic de stupéfiants, les gangs ou les membres de gangs s’adonneraient à une délinquance polymorphe, le trafic étant rarement l’unique source de revenus du gang ou du membre. De plus, le trafic de stupéfiants ne serait pas une activité exclusive aux gangs de rue auxquels appartiennent les membres interviewés. Ainsi, même si l’on retrouve un certain nombre de membres participant à la vente comme activité structurée d’un gang, il est possible pour un membre d’effectuer de la vente de drogues de façon indépendante, tout en étant affilié à un gang de rue. Il appert que la plupart des interviewés font partie d’une clique, s’identifient à une couleur ou à un quartier, et s’approvisionnent en drogues auprès de membres plus âgés et hauts placés dans la structure des gangs de rue, que les répondants identifient comme étant les vétérans. En ce qui les concerne, les répondants signalent l’importance de gagner la confiance des plus haut placés s’ils souhaitent débuter et évoluer dans la vente de stupéfiants. Lorsque la confiance est présente et que le nouveau vendeur débute ses activités, soit il s’approprie un territoire, généralement à l’intérieur de son quartier, soit on lui fournit un endroit de vente où il peut « travailler ». La présence d’un membre de la famille déjà affilié à un gang paraît faciliter le processus d’accès des nouveaux à l’activité de trafic. Lorsque les interviewés abordent l’aspect du territoire de vente, plusieurs dimensions viennent s’y greffer : la compétition, les conflits, les interactions avec les gangs ennemis et la violence, pour ne nommer que celles-là. Les interviewés indiquent vendre une certaine variété de drogues, le cannabis et le crack représentant les deux drogues les plus couramment citées. La marge de profits varierait, entre autres, en fonction du type de drogue vendue, du quartier et des caractéristiques de la clientèle. Cette dernière, malgré qu’elle soit diversifiée, comporte une constante : les consommateurs dépendants sont, comme plusieurs interviewés l’ont mentionné, prêts à tout pour assurer leur consommation. Les consommateurs sont ordinairement des étudiants, des propriétaires de commerces, des employés de bars, des travailleurs de la construction, des itinérants, des prostitués, des fêtards, des voyageurs de passage à Montréal. Les répondants dénotent également la présence de policiers, agents doubles, pouvant se présenter comme clients. Ceci étant, il leur apparaît essentiel de développer des habiletés permettant de détecter la présence policière et la distinguer des clients réguliers. Côté consommation, les interviewés affirment se limiter presqu’essentiellement à l’alcool et au cannabis. Néanmoins, plusieurs avouent avoir consommé une grande variété d’intoxicants au cours de leur vie. Plusieurs signalent qu’une trop grande consommation nuit à la vente de stupéfiants. / In a context where the gang phenomenon has become omnipresent in our neighbourhoods and represents a growing problem in several large cities in Quebec and Canada, paying particular attention to drug trafficking by members of street gangs is undoubtedly of great interest. The media strongly influences the image of gang phenomenon. As information conveyed by newspapers and news channels focus on the stereotypes associated with gangs and their behaviour, it enhances the fear that society has regarding street gangs. That being said, to shed light on gangs and their activities is an interest. We chose to focus on drug trafficking which is common in street gangs. The main objective of this research is to obtain the most accurate description and knowledge of drug trafficking from present and former street gang members related to their knowledge of drug trafficking as a result of their membership and their involvement in street gang activities. Drug trafficking is addressed through interviews with gang members. In total, fifteen semi-directive interviews were conducted among present and former gang members. All respondents but one were from the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Overall, this study allows us to understand that in addition to drug trafficking, gangs or gang members indulge in polymorphic criminal activities; drug trafficking is rarely the sole source of income. Moreover, drug trafficking is not an activity exclusive to street gangs. Thus, even if a number of members are involved in drug sales as a structured gang activity, it is possible for a member to sell drugs on a freelance basis while being affiliated with a street gang. It appears that most respondents are part of a clique, identify a color or a district and buy drugs from older and higher ranked members that respondents identify as veterans. Regarding the veterans, respondents indicated the importance of being trusted by the highest ranked if they wish to evolve in the drug sales market. When trust is present and the new seller begins his activities, either he takes over a turf, usually within his area, or the veteran provides a place where the new seller can "work". The presence of a family member already affiliated to a gang seems to facilitate the process of access to new trafficking activities. There are several dimensions associated with the territory aspect according to the interviewees such as: competition, conflict, interactions with rival gangs and violence, to name a few. Members indicate selling a variety of drugs, cannabis and crack representing the two most commonly cited drugs. The profit margin varies among the type of drugs sold, the district and of customers’ characteristics. The customers, although diverse in nature, have something in common: addicted customers, as several interviewees have mentioned, are desperate to ensure their consumption. These are typically homeless, prostitutes, bars’ employees, partygoers and foreigners/ travellers. Respondents also indicate the presence of undercover police officers, which may arise as customers. Thus, it is essential to develop skills allowing them to distinguish the undercover police officers from regular customers. Regarding drug use, respondents assert themselves using mostly alcohol and cannabis. However, several admitted to having used a large variety of intoxicants during their lives.