Must equal 1200 words with intext citation and 3 sources listed below. 

1. Explain the three hypotheses regarding the relationship between drug use and the causes of drug-related crime. 

2. Define the three major types of drug related violence in the Goldstein tripartite model of drugs and violence (The Drug-Violence Connection). 

3. Explain the four stages of production and distribution of the illicit drug business.

4. Using your text and the internet, research Pablo Escobar (The Columbian King of Cocaine) and give a biography of him. Include how he rose to power and how his reign ended.

5. Define the practice of "money laundering" and describe in detail some of the techniques used. 

Reply to Eve 75 words listed below

While different types of gangs and groups deal drugs, I feel that the most dangerous group to our society in the United States is street gangs. Other groups from various countries are responsible for distributing large amounts of drugs to citizens of the United States, but the most dangerous part of drug sales comes from the violence that occurs by our street gang members who live inside the country. Everyday, my local news channels are reporting that the police have arrested or are looking for a gang member for yet another shooting, either from a drive-by or a fight inside a home or on the street. Many of these shootings are occurring because of a drug deal gone wrong. Our text advises that gang members who sell drugs are more violent than non gang members who sell drugs (Levinthal, 2012). Additionally, street gangs are becoming the replacement for organized crime in the United States (Levinthal, 2012). Also, sadly, the biggest proportion of gang members in the 1980's was teens ages 15 and 16, and thankfully, of late, due to the large amount of income involved in street gang drug sales, the amount of adult gang membership has increased (Levinthal, 2012).

The street gang MS-13, has been designated by the New York Post as the most dangerous street gang in America, often committing multiple murders and their actions when doing so are extremely violent (Vincent, 2017). The MS-13 gang is not overly involved in narcotic sales focusing more on violence. Other street gangs, however, are heavily involved in drug distribution, two examples being the Gangster Disciples and the Latin Kings (Chicago, 2017). These gangs have made significant profits through street-level sales, increasing the risk to public health and endangering the community through disputes or turf battles (Chicago, 2017).

REply to Dan 75 words listed below. 

I believe all of the listed groups/gangs have a certain level of danger to our society in one way or another. Depending on the society, that a person is considered to be a part of, each group or gang is feared and have the potential to become dangerous to their respective society. Overall, I believe the cartels would be considered to be the most dangerous due to the vast amount of “soldiers” that are a part of the organization. Mexican cartels, such as the Juarez Cartel, have long time been notorious with drug smuggling marijuana into the United States. I was unaware of the other drugs like meth that has been adopted by the cartels. “Today, methamphetamine comes largely from production facilities in Mexico” (Levinthal, 2012, p. 106). An article written for Journal of Quantitative Criminology stated “According to government figures, nearly half of all murders in Mexico are related to drug violence” (Dickerson, 2014).

The cartels are run much like a corporation with a mafia mentality and the level of violence is insurmountable. When a leader of a cartel is removed, whether by assassination or arrest, the other members of the group will do whatever it takes to take control of the group. “When a leader is removed, the incentive to use violence is further increased due to its use as a signal of the subordinate’s qualifications” (Dickerson, 2014). The violence that a member portrays is an attribute that each member has and any “roadblock” that the member encounters in moving their drug is met with brutality. The amount of corruption within the Mexican police force and government is questionable and leaves a “protection barrier” around certain cartels. Not having the law enforcement in a position to protect the society around these cartel locations is why I feel that cartels are the most dangerous to our society.