D-TAG: erasing the tag of gang membership.
Gangs are noted for establishing their territory, flaunting gang affiliation, intimidating nonmembers, and documenting their "services performed." These examples are a few reasons for the practice of "tagging," the labeling of an area, person, or object with gang-related graffiti or markings, such as tattoos. This article describes a school nurse's response to gang "tagging" and her efforts to assist former gang members who request removal of their tattoos, to get them removed-in essence to D-TAG themselves from their gang affiliation. D-TAG is a volunteer rehabilitation program utilizing family and community interaction to support gang tattoo removal and direct activities away from gang affiliations toward alternative educational programs and life styles.
Gurke
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Thomas Jefferson High School, Dallas, TX, USA.
Armstrong
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D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010379:Peer Group; D012573:School Nursing; D012933:Social Identification; D013653:Tattooing