:dunno: A handful of Pagans and Angels got busted while fighting last year near my area, and meth paraphernalia was found. But we probably need a a statistical sample to really know how many of them are on meth, coke or whatever. I say we shoot fifty of each and send the bodies for autopsies and see what the M.E. has to say. If the bodies come back clean, well, I'll stand corrected.
Jokes aside, I really don't know. Much like the (Italian) Mafia, Americans have had a tendency to romanticize them and ignore the fact that they are nothing more than scum and violent criminals. Too often they're given a pass because some people think they're cool rebels. Personally, I'd give each cop who scored a kill shot a medal.
Now I didn't say they don't do drugs, and likely meth...nor do I doubt what you say about the H.A. and the Pagans, what I meant was, when 2 clubs try to sit down and come to terms, there are always some officers of the club involved, and they usually aren't going in blasted out of their minds. Believe it or not, it's important to these clubs to establish peace, and regulate territory, because when they're at war, business isn't getting done. Most of them are probably on meth, or coke. They like to stay up for a week at a time, so they can drink more!
They used to be a lot more like the mafia, in the sense that, they were much more low key. Meth changed that. It's turned it into a brutal situation, that's going to get worse. The mafia was violent, but they killed there own, and went out of their way to try and keep collateral damage, and innocent people from getting hurt, and M.C.'s were like that. 25 years ago, this wouldn't have happened in public. If they couldn't have come to an agreement, they would have walked away, and people would start getting whacked on the road, or at club houses. Everyone knew who and what they were, but they kept it low key, now...no one cares. There are other gangs to compete with, gangs that are far more brutal, so as sick as it sounds, they have to compete, you can't show weakness, or you will be taken out. I know a couple of guys, and believe it or not, they are good dudes, but in the back of my mind, I know what the deal is, and I have always avoided becoming close friends, just because it's not something I want to be around at the wrong time. I always try and come up with an excuse when they ask if I want to go on a club run, or hang around. That's how it starts, you're a hang around, and if you're cool, you get asked to prospect, and if you make it, you become a full patch member. At that point you're a soldier, and expendable, and better be ready to kill, die, or go to prison for the club. If you work your way through the ranks over time, you can avoid some bullshit, but there's ALWAYS a target on your back, when you have a patch. Even if it's not one of the bigger clubs, if you're in their territory, you have to follow their guidelines, and give them a cut of your action, and then you are now their enemy's , enemy, and they are yours...even if you have nothing against them, you hate them because you've been told to.
