Yeah, I see the drugs and the crime as a symptom of an underlying or prior disease.
What is the root? The radical? Hmm... I think it's the economy. It's also corruption in politics, which is sort of the definition of capitalism. If we got rid of capitalism, we'd fix the economy and get money out of politics.
Most crime is due to people not having shelter, food, or medicine. Make sure people have those things, and you'll see a solution to crime.
I don't think forming militias will solve economic problems.