Gang activity involving drugs in cities needs to be put to a stop because it influences teenagers and cities. Cook emphasizes that congress responded to the increase in violent crimes involving drugs by setting a minimum penalty for trafficking drugs (Cook par. 2). Congress made these laws encompassing drug trafficking so violators will be removed from streets and placed in jail to make cities safer and keep the incarcerated from reaching out to the youth. Gangs are full of criminal activity; gangs seem to be in control of the global supply of drugs and they will do what they need to stay on top in the war on drugs (“Time for a Truce in the War on Drugs” par. 2). Gangs are the leading supplier of drugs in the United States. The gangs receive their drugs from cartels in different countries and then sell the narcotics in the United States. The drugs increase in value when coming in from different countries because of the demand for drugs, which, in return, inflates the money gangs make increasing their power. Drug trafficking has had a major impact on society and regional security (Rosen and Bagley pg. 421). Gang activity involving drugs needs to be put to a halt. Legal drug operations are a viable option to stop illegal gang activity. The United States should legalize the distribution of marijuana and other drugs so gangs that already control trade could be taxed by the government. Not only could the government tax the operations, but legalizing cannabis would also decrease the amount of citizens incarcerated for drug possession. Criminologists, also known as professionals that study crime, know the value of decriminalizing drugs; for the last 40 years the United States has fought the war on drugs and has done more harm than good locking up many Americans for the possession of drugs (Blackwell par. 18). In the past 40 years, a large amount of Americans have been incarcerated, and if drugs were legalized those incarcerated would not have been affected negatively and would still have a chance at a normal life. Legalizing drugs would not only give those incarcerated for drug possession a chance at a normal life, but it also influences the youth of the area to make wiser decisions and not break the law. Michael K. Williams, reporter for CNN states, "The millions of parentless homes, the heartbreaking struggles with addiction, the financial desperation and the overall feeling that systems were built to hurt… this ‘war’ has left an unforgivable blight on black communities across the country" (Williams par. 8). The war on drugs has been harsh in inner-city communities by destroying families and shaping the future youth by taking away their loved ones for a long period of time. The children whose parents get taken away are more likely to turn to the streets and become gang members. This will continue to be a never ending cycle if the government does not reconsider changing the way the war on drugs is fought. If drug sales were legalized, the legalization of drugs would not only cut down on imprisonment rates but also decrease the amount of children influenced by drugs. Children are not the only age group affected by the war on drugs, adults are affected as well.