Lost to the system?! No, they were lost to the culture that tolerates drug dealing and stealing as ways of life. In short, they were lost to their own psychopathic behaviors which appear to be tolerated by people in their communities who blame others ("the system") rather than the individuals who commit crimes.
To an increasing extent, the black community is fine with black guys who commit violent crimes against whites, but upset when whites shoot blacks in self defense. Essentially its tribal war.