The National Geographic Channel has taken on quite a challenge in taking a realistic, unwavering glimpse into the hard-hitting world of illicit narcotics. The documentary series airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. and examines on a personal level all individuals who are involved in the drug trade, including addicts, traffickers, dealers, growers, physicians and law enforcement. All of these individuals together are related a black market that generates $1.28 trillion a year.
Drug Documentary Attempts to Bring a Personal Face to the Cycle of Illegal Drug Use
The cameras travel the globe to the fields, jungles and hidden laboratories where drugs begin their illegal journey. We watch smugglers at work who have had a great day if they make it back home with their life. The perspectives of pushers and dealers are also examined in the series, bringing a surprisingly human face to an occupation that is often thought to be performed only by cold-blooded inhuman individuals. You see addicts in the throws of their obsession to their particular drug of choice. We watch as doctors and psychiatrists try to intervene with individuals deep into the addiction process in an attempt to get them much needed treatment. While police and drug agents are seen attempting to stop the flow of drugs over the borders and into smaller cities and towns.
Nat Geo Explores the Impact of a Wide Range of Narcotics on Societies Around the World
The documentary investigates the impacts of the production of a wide array of legal and illegal substances on indigenous societies and environments. The thread that ties all the drugs spotlighted in the series is that their abuse can lead to a subsequent addiction and has the potential for death. Some of the drugs such as ayahuasca, mushrooms and LSD are actually highlighted as narcotics with supporters that claim they have psychological and medicinal possibilities with uses for psychological trauma and end-of-life pain and emotional comfort. The cameras follow individuals experimenting with these drugs in different medicinal arenas with both positive and negative outcomes. However, most of the drugs are shown to have mostly negative impacts on users over time.
The series details all facets of the production, distribution, use and control of the following drugs:
- Crack
- Hashish
- Ecstasy
- Hallucinogens, including LSD, psilocybin and ibogaine
- Ketamine (an anesthetic, that also has properties of a stimulant, depressant and hallucinogen)
- Prescription medications
- Designer drugs
The viewers of the documentary series get a front row seat to the consequences of the drug trade on individuals involved the world over.
Have you seen this documentary series? If so, do you think it provides a realistic look at all factors involved in the illegal drug industry? All thoughts and opinions are encouraged below.
