what's the answer to gang and drug violence?

This is such a multi-faceted and complex problem, that there is not just an individual solution for, but multiple solutions for each variable in the scenario. I would divide it first by poverty issues, and criminal issues.

Poverty issues, is generational, and complex on its own, you have cultural barriers that actually denigrate success, and you have physical barriers such as location to good jobs, and educations barriers such as access and drive for college or vocational schools. This all on top of the financial barriers faced daily.

In terms of Gangs and Drugs and violence...you have several factors as well such as Drug use as a justice vs health department issue, prohibition being a breeding ground for gangs and violence. Destitution fueled anger and outlet and lashing out.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to lower drug use and gang violence one of the first steps is to decriminalize drug use.

Agree 110% with Jonda.

I read the article and I don't see any reference to 0% literacy rate.

I see that about 60% of the students are reading in the below basic level which is alarming.  A 0% literacy rate sounds highly unlikely to me.  

But that is not really the issue.  Clearly MPS schools are grossly underperforming, and if the funding is $16,000K per student that is a lot higher than the national average which I think is closer to $11K. Here in NC we get about 7K per student.

I worked in the Kansas City MO school district when it was undergoing a massive court ordered desegregation plan.  Many of my high school students were functionally illiterate. They could get by, but they could not read anything close to a high school text. We had drugs, guns, and massive violence in the schools.  

As Jonda stated it is not a simple answer. There is no one size fits all answer or we ( as a nation) would be doing it.  

In my experience the students who were able to over come abject poverty, and pretty horrible education were those who had someone to believe in them.  They were often surrounded by negative influences, and felt pulled in two directions. Those who were able to over come the awful circumstances were usually the ones who had someone at home who really believed in them, and something at school to engage them.

In my opinion the answer is to get the parents involved in their child's education, and that starts at a young age. Make schools a place where parents are welcome, and feel like they are working together. I think middle school is the key. That is when kids generally make a choice, if parents feel like they are working with the schools to help their child, more kids will be able to survive.  

I also think that a Zero tolerance policy is a bad idea. But honestly what the alternative is, I am not sure.

Didn't really mean to write a novel. Issues I am passionate about.

Decriminalize drug use
Treat drug use as a medical condition
TAX the SHIT out of "recreational" drugs
Educate the population as to the negative effects of drug use - just like cigarettes
Change the minimum sentencing requirements

For a start