Another cause of gun violence is the war on drugs and the inherent violence around and in American cities “The most important reason why gun violence has increased dramatically in Chicago and the District of Columbia and in many cities across the country In the mid 1980s and early 1990s it was drugs, particularly crack cocaine, that were the first thing to appear on the scene, at the time the youth and young adult males were recruited to sell drugs in disadvantaged neighborhoods and were armed or armed themselves with guns. (Whiney 157). One result of this was what two criminologists called “the irresponsible and excessive use of guns by young people in urban centers.” One of the main reasons why gun violence decreased after the 1990s was the disappearance of the crack epidemic. The United States' war on drugs is not working and is contributing to the increase in the number of firearms used. Gangs and dealers would be deterred from selling if most drugs were decriminalized, people arrested for lower-level crimes might not have to become criminals for life if they weren't incarcerated. For example, in Colorado, where marijuana has been legalized, crime has decreased significantly. According to Denver Police Uniform Crime Reporting data, the total burglaries in 2013 were 5,094. In 2014, burglaries decreased by approximately 10% to 4,594. Reported robberies in 2013 were 1,137 and decreased by 3% to 1,099 in 2014. Arrests for drug violations in 2013 were 2,349 and increased by nearly 10% to 2,574 arrests in 2014. Additionally, in 2014 , a total of 150 murders were reported by law enforcement. in Colorado (DPUC). This is a 12.8% decrease in homicides compared to 2013 (CBI). These numbers show a great sign of hope if we decriminalize drugs. We cannot treat our people with a problem like criminals, just like our mentally ill people. People with drug problems need help and if these people are not behind bars