This presentation is geared toward parents, administrators, and educators who want to better understand their adolescent and teenage children's language and behavioral patterns. The prominent gangs in Texas, including their colors, symbols/tattoos, and patterns, are discussed. A list of commonly abused drugs is provided with synonyms and euphemisms for each substance, and there's even a list of synonyms for "high!" Speak your kids' language--they'll listen.

1. Catching Up With Our Teens:
Drug & Gang Lingo
Austin Travis County Integral Care
Morgan Johnson
September, 2013

2. GANGS

3. TEXAS SECURITY THREAT
GROUPS
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

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Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
Aryan Circle
Barrio Azteca
Bloods
Crips
Hermandad de Pistoleros
Latinos Mexikanemi/Texas Mexican Mafia
PartidoRevolucionarioMexicano
RazaUnida
Texas Chicano Brotherhood
Texas Mafia
Texas Syndicate/SyndicatoTejano

4. TANGOS/TANGO BLAST
GROUPS
 Austin Tangos (Capirucha)
 Corpus Christi Tangos (Corpitos; Charco)
 Dallas Tangos (D-Town)
 El Paso Tangos
 Fort Worth Tangos (Foritos; Foros)
 Houston Tangos (Houstone; H-Town)
 Rio Grande Valley Tangos (Valluco)
 San Antonio Tangos (San Anto; Orejones)
 West Texas Tangos

5. MAJOR STREET GANGS AND
CLIQUES
 18th Street Gang
 Black Gangster Disciples
 Latin Kings
 Mandingo Warriors
 Mara Salvatrucha
 Mexicles
 Surenos
 Tri-City Bombers
 White Knights

6. Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
(ABT)
 Structure The ABT is led by a steering committee
comprised of five offenders, each of whom is
responsible for a specific geographic area and
maintains control of the group's activity in and out of
the prison system. The steering committee is also
responsible for making all rules and regulations for
the organization.
 Tattoos: The ABT insignia or tattoo depicts a shield
with a Nordic dagger running through it, the letters "A"
and "B" over the top of the shield, and the words "of
Texas" located under the shield. All members are
given the choice to put on the tattoo or not. Many
have chosen to hide or disguise their tattoos in an
effort to thwart detection by correctional and law

7. Aryan Circle
 Structure The AC currently uses a hierarchical
structure with a president, vice president, and three
"center ring" leaders. This organization is also broken
down into various branches, districts, and divisions;
however, the president, vice president, and three
"center ring" leaders make all rules for the group. The
AC is also unique among STGs because its
constitution includes provisions for a women's branch.
 Tattoos: The AC tattoo consists of a simple circle
containing double lightning bolts and/or the letters
"AC." This tattoo is normally placed in the rib cage
area just below the left nipple. In some cases, this
tattoo will be found inside a diamond shape. The
diamond symbolizes that the member is forever an
AC member, just as "diamonds are forever."

8. Barrio Azteca (BA)
 Structure Ranks:
Major Captain: Capitan Mayor
Captain: Capitan
Lieutenant: Tirilon
Sergeant: Sargento
Soldier: Soldado
 Tattoos: The BA uses various tattoos to identify its
members, including the name "Barrio Azteca," the
numbers "2-1" (which represent the numeric
values for the letters "B" and "A"), and the Roman
numeral "XXI."

9. Bloods (BLD)
 Structure: The Bloods lack the organizational
structure of other prison gangs. Each set may
have a separate rank structure and pursue
different goals and agendas. Within the Texas
prison system, the Bloods are known for being
one of the groups that is most likely to assault
correctional staff.
 Tattoos: Blood members can be identified by the
insignias adopted by the set to which they belong
and by their affinity for the color red. Members
may also use the five-pointed star, which is
known as the "Blood Star" and represents the
Blood Nation. The letters at the points of the star
represent the five families that comprise the
Blood Nation: Bloods, Brims, Bishops, Vice Lords,

10. Crips (CRP)
 Structure: The Crips lack the organizational
structure of other prison gangs. Each set may
have a separate rank structure and pursue
different goals and agendas. Within the Texas
prison system, the Crips are known for being one
of the groups that is most likely to assault
correctional staff.
 Tattoos: Crip tattoos are specific to the members'
local sets, and may include references to a zip
code or a particular street.

11. Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos
 Structure: The HPL hierarchy is structured along
military lines, with three ranking leaders known as
"Llaveros.”
 Tattoos: The HPL tattoo consists of the letters
"HPL," sometimes with the "H" and "L" combined
with the head of a parrot. Some tattoos
incorporate the numbers "16" and "12," which
represent the letters "P" and "L;" or the number
"45," which represents the caliber of a .45
handgun. In addition, a tattoo of a .45-caliber
handgun is commonly placed in an area where a
gun is normally found on or carried by a person.

12. Mexikanemi/Texas Mexican Mafia
(EME)
 Structure The EME operates under a hierarchical
system in which the founder of the organization is
considered the absolute leader. Each member
must also abide by an extensive set of rules.
 Tattoos: The EME tattoo consists of a burning sun
and/or Aztec warrior shield with two crossed
daggers, sometimes with eagle heads on the
dagger handles. Within the sun or shield will be
the Mexican national emblem: an eagle with a
snake in its beak on top of a cactus plant. Other
common tattoos include the Aztec double-headed
serpent in the shape of the letter "M," a Mexican
mountain range, and/or Aztec pyramids.

13. PartidoRevolucionarioMexicano
(PRM)
 Structure: Intelligence indicates that the rank structure is
paramilitary, with its leadership originally consisting of five
generals. Members of the PRM identify themselves as
"Borrachos."
 Tattoos: The PRM tattoo often incorporates the letters
"PRM" and/or the emblem on the Mexican flag (i.e., eagle,
snake, cactus, and half wreath). The words
"EstadosUnidosMexicanos" may be added above the
eagle. The number "6" is a code number used to identify
membership (Note: There are six letters in the word
"Mexico" and "Mezcal") and the tattoo "P31" is also used
("R" is the 18th letter of the alphabet and "M" is the 13th
letter; thus "P" + 18 + 13 = P31). In addition, since the
group has used the word "borracho" (Spanish for "drunk")
to denote membership, some members may bear a tattoo
of a Mexican male sitting on the ground, wearing a
sombrero tilted forward, with a bottle of Mezcal or Tequila

14. RazaUnida (RU)
 Structure: The RU currently uses a five-ranking-
member panel that oversees five regions within
the state of Texas.
 Tattoos: The RU tattoo consists of the Mexican
and American flags (in some cases, the Texas
flag will replace the American flag) with an eagle
in the center and a ribbon banner containing the
words "RazaUnida," which signifies the unity of
Mexican and Mexican-American. The letters "RU"
may also be incorporated into tattoos.

15. Texas Chicano Brotherhood
(TXCB)
 Structure: The group's rank structure consists of
three 5-star generals and three 4-star generals.
 Tattoos: The TXCB tattoo consists of the letters
"TCB" and a star found within the letters. This
should not be mistaken for the Tri-City Bomber
tattoo, which also consists of the letters "TCB,"
but with an image of a round fused bomb found
within the letters.

16. Texas Mafia (TM)
 Structure: The TM's rank structure is loosely
organized, but may consist of two ranking
members who oversee the group's activities
statewide.
 Tattoos The TM tattoo consists of the letters "TM"
with one or all of the bottom tips of the letters
shaped like devil's tails and/or arrowheads.

17. Texas Syndicate (ESE TE: TS)
 Structure: The TS operates under a paramilitary rank
structure in which the oldest, most experienced
member serves as the organization's "Sillon" or
chairman in the unit or area. Lieutenants and
sergeants are selected by the Sillon and are assigned
responsibilities as needed. The TS does not have one
direct person in charge of the organization but
operates in cells throughout Texas.
 Tattoos The TS has a specific tattoo consisting of a
large "T" superimposed over an "S." The term
"Cuerno(s)" is the Spanish word for "horn(s)" and is
an identifier or indicator of possible TS membership.
Although many members will tattoo themselves with
horns to signify their membership in the TS, not all
offenders who have the horns are affiliated with this
STG.

18. 18th Street Gang
 The 18th Street Gang was formed in California in
the late 1960s and consists mainly of illegal
aliens from El Salvador as well as from Mexico
and other countries in Central America. The gang
is not exclusively Hispanic, however, and may
include members of all races and ethnicities, and
may include both male and female members.
 Tattoos: Tattoos worn by 18th Street gang
members will normally incorporate some variation
of the number 18, including "18", "XVIII," or
"XV3."

19. Black Gangster Disciples
 The BGD originated in the Midwest and has
historically aligned with Folk Nation.
 Tattoos: Members of the BGD may use various
tattoos, including the letters "BGD," six-pointed
stars, pitchforks raised upward, and a heart with
wings.

20. The Latin Kings (ALKN)
 The LK, or Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN),
originated in Chicago, Illinois. The gang's
influence, however, has spread throughout the
country. Although various groups may share the
"Latin King" name, not all are direct offshoots of
or affiliated with the Chicago-based gang. The LK
has historically aligned with the People Nation.
 Tattoos: Members of the LK may use a variety of
tattoos, including the letters "LK" or "ALKN," a
three- or five-pointed crown, the image of a
"crown master," or the words "Amor de Rey"
(Spanish for "Love of the King"). Members may
also incorporate symbols common to other
People Nation gangs, such as pitchforks pointed
downward.

21. Mandingo Warriors
 The MW was formed in 1984 by a group of black
offenders in order to protect themselves from
members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
(ABT), the Texas Mafia (TM), and the Texas
Syndicate (TS). The gang's hierarchy consists of
a Commander in Chief, General, Administer of
Defense, Administer of Information, and
Administer of Law, who make up "the
Committee." The Committee appoints Knights
and has the power to remove rank. Other officers
include Administer of Finance, Captain, Sergeant,
and 1st Corporal. Members of MW refer to
themselves as "Demo," which means "Sun."
 Their colors are red, black, and green.

22. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
 The MS-13 was originally formed in the late-
1980s in Los Angeles, California, by El
Salvadoran refugees who emigrated to the US to
escape civil war and unrest in their country. Many
of these refugees settled in Washington, DC, and
the Rampart area of Los Angeles. They formed
MS-13 to protect themselves from and challenge
other already-established Hispanic gangs.
 Tattoos: Members of MS-13 use a variety of
tattoos, including "MS," "MS-1 3," "Mara
Salvatrucha," or "Salvatrucha." Members may
also use tattoos that incorporate the names of
their individual cliques or the image of a hand
forming the devil's pitchfork.

23. Mexicles
 The Mexicles was formed in the Texas prison
system by a group of Mexican nationals and
immigrants who banded together to protect
themselves from being recruited or assaulted by
other STGs.
 Tattoos: Although members of this gang may be
tattooed with the word "Mexicle" or "Mexicles,"
the term is not used exclusively by them. The
word "Mexicle" is a term used to describe a
Mexican citizen and thus is sometimes found in
tattoos worn by members of other gangs, such as
the PartidoRevolucionarioMexicano (PRM).

24. Surenos
 The term "Surenos" was first used in the 1970s as a result
of a California prison war between the California Mexican
Mafia (La EME) and NuestraFamilia (NF). This war
resulted in a territorial division between gang members
from northern California (Nortenos = northerners) who
were aligned with NF, and those from southern California
(Surenos = southerners) who were aligned with La EME.
Surenos have a more significant presence in Texas than
Nortenos, but both groups may be encountered here.
 Surenos identify with the color blue and the number 13,
which represents the 13th letter of the alphabet ("M") and
signifies the group's association with La EME.
 Tattoos: Surenos tattoos will vary but will usually contain
some kind of association with the word "Sureno" and
possibly the number 13. Note: Although many street gangs
in Texas may use the "Surenos" name, not all of them are
affiliated with the California-based group.

25. Tri-City Bombers (TRICB)
 The TRICB, also known as Bombitas, is a street
gang that is primarily composed of Hispanic
males. They originated in the South Texas Rio
Grande Valley, primarily in an area known as the
Tri-Cities (Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo). The
TRICB gang is a bitter rival of the STG known as
the Texas Chicano Brotherhood (TXCB), which
was founded in 1989 by former members of
TRICB.
 Tattoos: A common TRICB tattoo includes the
letters "TCB" with an image of a round fused
bomb.

26. White Knights
 The WK is a white supremacist group that was
formed in the Texas prison system in May 1991.
The gang is known to be active in the free world
as well. The gang's hierarchy is composed of five
ranking elders who are known as "the Wheel."
Members of the Wheel coordinate the decisionmaking process on behalf of the organization.
The gang's motto is "Sworn to Protect, Never to
Neglect" and its official colors are red, white, and
black.
 Tattoos: The WK tattoos include the image of a
knight in armor and other symbols common to
white supremacist groups, such as swastikas and

27. DRUGS

28. Commonly Abused Drugs
 Depressants
 Antidepressants
 Anti-Anxiety Medications
 Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
 Stimulants
 Other Compounds
 Cannabinoids
 Other Illegal Drugs

29. Depressants
 Barbiturates
 Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital
 AKA: barbs, reds, red birds, pennies, tooies, yellows, yellow
jackets
 Benzodiazepines
 Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin
 AKA: benzos, candy, downers, tranks, tanks, rolls, xan bars
 Sleep Medications
 Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta
(eszopiclone)
 AKA: a-minus, tic-tacs, no-go, zombies, sleepers

30. Antidepressants
 Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, buproprion
 AKA: happy pills, bars,

31. Opiods& Morphine Derivatives
 Codeine
 Empirin, Tyleno or Fiorinalw/ Codeine, Robitussin A-
C
 AKA: lean, Cody, schoolboy, syrup, drink/drank, purple
 Morphine
 Roxanol, Duramorph
 AKA: M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff, hocus
 Methadone
 Methadose, Dolophine
 AKA: fizzies, amidone, w/ MDMA- chocolate chip cookies
 Fentanyl& Analogs
 Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze
 AKA: Apache, China girl, dance fever, murder 8, TNT,
Tango, Cash

32. More Opioids
 Other Opioid Pain Relievers
 Oxycodone HCL
 Tylox, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocent
 AKA: Oxy, O.C., oxycotton, hillbilly heroin, percs
 HydrocodoneBitartrateHydomorphone
 Vicodin, Lortab, Locet
 AKA: vike, Watson-387
 Oxymorphone
 Dilaudid
 AKA: juice, smack, D, footballs, dillies
 Meperidine
 Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone
 AKA: biscuits, blue heaven, blues, Mrs. O. octagons, stop
signs, O-bomb
 Propoxyphen
 Demerol, Darvon, Darvocet, meperidine hydrochloride
 AKA: demmies, pain killer

33. Stimulants
 Amphetamines
 Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall
 AKA: bennies, black beauties, uppers, study buddies, truck
drivers, hearts, crosses, LA turnaround
 Methylphenidate
 Concerta, Ritalin
 AKA: JIF, MPF, R-ball, Skippy, vitamin R, pineapple

34. Other Compounds
 Anabolic Steroids
 Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-Testosterone,
Equipoise
 AKA: roids, juice, gym candy, pumpers
 Dextromethorphan (DXM)
 Found in some cough and cold medications
 AKA: robotripping, Robo, Triple C
 Salvia divinorum
 AKA: Salvia, Shepherdess's Herb, Maria Pastora,
magic mint, Sally-D

35. Cannabinoids
 Marijuana
 AKA: 420, ace, bag, bales bamba, bud, bobo,
bricks, cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, chronic,
dagga, dank, diggy, ditch, dope, flowers, ganja,
grandaddykush, grass, green, hash, herb, hooch
hooter, killer, kush, loco weed, marijuana, maryjane,
mj, mota, mootersmootie, nubs, nuggets, nuggies,
panama red, pot, purple haze, purps, ragweed,
reefer, skunk, skunk weed, smoke, stack, sweet
lucy, tree of wisdom, trees, weed, yesca, zol
 Hashish
 AKA: Boom, gangster, hash, hash oil, hemp
 Synthetic Marijuana
 AKA: kush, K2

36. Illegal Drugs & Their Nicknames
 Cocaine
 Blow, C, candy, coke, do a line, freeze, girl, happy dust,
Mama coca, mojo, monster, nose, pimp, shot, smoking
gun, snow, sugar, sweet stuff, white pony
 Crack
 Base, beat, blast, casper, chalk,cookies devil drug,
gravel, hardball, kryptonite, love, moonrocks, rock,
scrabble, stones, tornado
 Heroine
 Aunt Hazel, big H, black pearl, brown sugar, capital H,
charley, china white, dope, good horse, H, hard stuff,
hero, heroina, little boy, mud, perfect high, smack, stuff,
tar.
 Inhalants
 Whippets, Air blast, bolt, boppers, bullet bolt, climax,
discorama, hardware, heart-on, highball, honey oil, huff,

37. More Illegal Drugs & Their
Nicknames
 Ketamine
 Bump, cat killer, cat valium, fort dodge, green,
honey oil, jet, K, ket, kit kat, psychedelic heroin,
purple, special K, special la coke, super acid, super
C, vitamin K
 LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
 A, Acid, black star, blotter, boomers, cubes, Elvis,
golden dragon, L, microdot, paper acid, pink robots,
superman, twenty-five, yellow sunshine, ying yang.
 MDMA
 Adam, bean, blue kisses, clarity, club drug, disco
biscuits, E, ecstasy, hug drug, love drug, lover’s
speed, Mercedes, Molly, roll, white dove, X and
XTC
 Mescaline
 Beans, buttons, cactus, cactus buttons, cactus

38. Nicknames
 Methanphetamine
 Beannies, blue devils, chalk, CR, crank, crystal, crystal
meth, fast, granulated orange, ice, meth, Mexican crack,
pink, rock, speckled birds, speed, tina, yellow powder
 Opium
 Ah-pen-yen, aunti, big O, black stuff, Chinese tobacco,
chocolate, dopium, dover’s deck, dream gun, hard stuff,
hocus, joy plant, O, ope, pin yen, toxy, zero
 PCP (Phencyclidine)
 Angel dust, belladonna, black whack, CJ, cliffhanger,
crystal joint, Detroit pink, elephant tranquilizer, hog,
magic, Peter Pan, sheets, soma, TAC, trank, white
horizon, zoom
 Psilocybin/psilocin
 Boomers, god’s flesh, little smoke, magic mushroom,
Mexican mushrooms, mushrooms, musk, sherm,
shrooms, silly putty, simple simon
 Rohypnol
 Circles, forget-me pill, la rocha, lunch money drug,
Mexican valium, pingus, R2, Reynolds, roche, roofies,

39. Synonyms for “high”
 Any drug—hopped up, loaded, flying, coasting,












buzzed
Alcohol—wasted, sloshed, hammered, juiced
Amphetamines—up, raised
Coke/Crack—tweaking, buzzing, riding the pony, freebasing
Heroine—strung out, chasing the dragon, wired,
spiked
Ketamine—k-holed
LSD—dosed, tripping, tripping balls, tabbed, dropping
MDMA/Ecstasy —rolling, feeling it, raving
Mescaline—tripping, riding the wave
Meth/Speed—tweaking, raging, jacked up
Mushrooms—tripping, riding the wave
PCP—juiced
Tranquilizers—tranq’d, norried
 Weed—baked, blitzed, bombed, buzzed, doped, drugged,

40. A-Z Drug Vocabulary
 ACAPULCO GOLD - a very potent strain of










marijuana from Acapulco, Mexico.
ACID HEAD - user of LSD, "Acid Freak”
ALLEY JUICE - very cheap wine, "Grapes”
ARTILLERY - equipment for shooting drugs
BACK-UP - permitting blood to back up into a
syringe to ensure the needle is in a vein
BAD TRIP - unpleasant LSD experience
BAG - packet of drugs, usually a standard amount
for sale
BALLOON - small amount of contained narcotics
BANG - to inject narcotics
BEAN - capsules for drugs
BINDLE - a small packet of drug powder

41.  BOMBITA - mixture of Cocaine & Heroin
 BONG - a cylindrical water pipe for smoking







narcotics, especially Marijuana
BRICK - a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of tightly
compacted
BROKER - go-between for a drug deal
BURNOUT - heavy user of drugs
CANDYMAN - drug supplier
CHEESE - a starter form of Heroin containing
Tylenol PM and up to 8 percent heroin
CHIPPING - occasional use of drugs
COKE BROKE - financially incapacitated from
supporting Cocaine habit

42.  COLOMBO - Marijuana grown in Columbia
 COME DOWN - the ending of a drug








experience
CONNECTION - supplier of drugs
COOKER - usually a spoon or bottle cap used
to heat drugs for injection; maker of meth
CUT - to adulterate drugs
DIME BAG - $10 worth of a narcotic
DROP - to take a drugs orally; a place where
money or drugs are left
DUSTING - sprinkling a narcotic powder on
another drug such as PCP on Marijuana
EIGHTH - one-eighth of a pound of drugs
FIX - an injection of drugs

43.  FLASHBACK - recurrence of previous








hallucinations
FLEA POWDER - poor quality drugs
FLIP OUT - become psychotic or irrational
FREEBASE - smoking Cocaine from a special
water pipe
FREEZE - to renege on a drug transaction
FRONT - to put money out before receiving
the merchandise
GLUEY - a glue sniffer
GUN - equipment for injecting drugs
HEAD SHOP - store specialising in the sale of
drug paraphernalia

44.  HEELED - having plenty of money
 HOLDING - in possession of drugs
 HOT - wanted by authorities
 HOT SHOT - fatal injection of drugs
 HUFFING - inhaling solvents from a bag
 HUSTLE - attempt to obtain drug customers
 JOY POPPING - occasional use of drugs
 JUNKIE - an opiate addict
 KEY – kilogram
 KICK - to stop using drugs
 KlCKBACK - relapse back into drug usage
 KIDDIE DOPE - usually prescription drugs
 KILO - 2.2 Ibs., also "KEY"

45.  KIT - equipment used to inject drugs
 LID - one ounce or less of Marijuana
 LINE - a dose of Cocaine arranged in a line on







a smooth surface
MAINLINE - inject a drug directly into a vein,
to “shoot up”
MANICURE - remove seeds from marijuana
MICRODOT - a tablet containing LSD
MULE - a carrier of drugs
MUNCHIES - the hunger that follows after
using Marijuana
NARC - narcotic agent
NORML - National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws; lobbies for lenient drug
laws

46.  O.D. - overdosed on drugs
 ON ICE - in jail
 PAPERS - rolling papers, used to make





marijuana or tobacco cigarettes; in reference
to being on probation
ROACH - the stub of a Marijuana cigarette
SCRIPT WRITER - a Doctor willing to write a
prescription for faked symptoms
SET UP - to arrange to have a person arrested
for drugs; combination of uppers and
downers (Barbiturates and.Amphetamines)
SHOOTING GALLERY - place where addicts
inject drugs
SHOOT UP - to inject intravenously

47.  SHOTGUN - a way of smoking Marijuana, by







blowing smoke back through the joint into
another's mouth
SINSEMILLA OR SINS - a potent type of
Marijuana without seeds grown in Northern
California
SNORT - to inhale Cocaine through the
nostrils
SPEED FREAK - person who repeatedly takes
Amphetamines, usually intravenously
SPIKE - needle used to inject drugs
TOKE - inhaling Marijuana or Hashish smoke
TOOTER - small, hollow tube (straw-like) to
sniff Cocaine
TRAP - a hiding place for drugs/ selling drugs

48. References:
 Gang Information:
http://archive.org/stream/TexasGangs/texasgangs_djvu.txt
 Narconon (for more Drug Vocabulary):
http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/street-drug-names.htm
 National Institute on Drug
Abuse:http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/100
520603.png