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Reflections on Gang Tattoo Removal
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When the eruption of gang-mediated crime and violence grabbed the front pages of our Denver newspapers in 1993, Mayor Webb formed a Task Force to stop the violence and address the social problems leading to young people joining gangs. At that time, a new laser tattoo removal technology became available, and a few of us at Swedish Medical Center saw the opportunity to use the device for the benefit of rehabilitating gang members. Our proposal was well received: to provide free treatment in exchange for community service by former gang members who signed a contract to be employed or in school, out of jail and out of gangs. To me, this was an example of medical treatment as part of social change. It was also a great example of the way a hospital contributes to its community. The program would never have occurred without the commitment of Swedish Medical Center, funding (more than $25,000/year) and providing the use of expensive equipment, dressings and nursing staff. Many nurses willingly contributed to aiding the gang members, but without the efforts and persistence of two RN’s in particular, Roseann Engblom and Irene Rosario, the program would have failed. Initially, some staff and patients were intimidated by the appearance of the former gang members in the clinic. To me, this underscored the right-mindedness of this mission to help remove a distracting veneer that aroused prejudice and precluded employability and acceptance into society for young people who once made a wrong turn. As medical staff, we were so gratified to see the courage and determination of so many among the hundreds of former gang members we treated, as they mainstreamed into school, careers and constructive members of society. More recently, “ink” has become commonplace in the NBA and the boardroom. The relevance of the Gang Tattoo Removal Program seemed questionable: for years, treating 15-17 participants in a morning, with a waiting list for those wanting to have their gang tattoos removed, more recently, the numbers dwindled to 4 or 5. So when we received notice that the program’s funding fell short, we accepted the program’s termination, but regretted losing this opportunity to help and look in on the lives of so many courageous young men and women who had the conviction and determination to change.
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Some other Health Articles from our Library:
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