The Business of Drugs

The Business of Drugs
Netflix Original Docu-series
4/5 Stars

I have long maintained my position that all drugs should be legal, taxed, and regulated in the United States, and this documentary didn’t do a thing to disavow me of this notion. It reminds me of the prohibition era and how we tried to legislate morality. It didn’t work then, and it doesn’t work now.

This docu-series features a former CIA analyst and her interviews and research on the use of drugs in this country. But, it really isn’t all about addiction and the actual use of the drugs (although that is certainly a part of it.) It’s really more about the distribution process. So, where do the drugs come from? How do they get into the country? What is the history of its use and when did they go from legal to illegal? How are we enforcing laws against drugs, distribution, border crossings, etc.?

Each “episode” in the series details one specific drug – cocaine, opioids, pot, etc. The interviewer does a really great job of interviewing everyone from the farmers, to workers in manufacturing, street dealers, users, and even pharmaceutical reps. It’s really comprehensive and really interesting. I did knock off one star from my star rating, simply because some of the reactions to the interviews are a bit over the top. But, really, it’s worth watching.

In the end, my position on drugs hasn’t changed. In addition to my position that drugs should be legal, I have also long advocated for the position that if you do take illegal drugs, that you are supporting a whole host of evil things. (This is similar to my position about buying goods that are manufactured in many places in the world. If you knowingly purchase goods that are made by people who are essentially living in slavery, then you are supporting slavery.) It’s the same with drugs. If you purchase cocaine, then you are supporting slave-like conditions of the people who farm it and the violence of drug cartels. Again, this is one of many reasons that I am pro-legalization. If we make it all above-board and legal, then you can get rid of drug cartels, violence, slave-labor conditions, etc.

The sad truth is that, although I support legalization of drugs in whatever forms people wish to use them, I am always a great supporter of public funds for rehab. Unfortunately, people are going to use drugs whether they are legal or not (just like tobacco and alcohol) and I believe that’s a personal choice. But, I also come from a background of friends and family members with addiction and it’s not fun. I’ve seen a whole lot of sadness, broken families, jail time, and relationships that can’t be mended.

Let me know if you watch The Business of Drugs and what you think. I hope you learn as much as did!