America's War on Drugs

2017 • HISTORY
4.1
7 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (4)

1 Acid, Spies, & Secret Experiments
6/18/17
The roots of America's War on Drugs reveals secret assassination attempts, the CIA's bizarre experiments with LSD and support of heroin traffickers, LSD parachuting from the sky, and how it led to a five decade war.
2 Cocaine, Cartels, & Crack Downs
6/19/17
Cocaine lands in America from secret airports, lining the pockets of violent cartel bosses, and an infamous "black widow", as the CIA's shadow wars have unintended consequences. President Reagan cracks down as crack invades the USA.
3 Gangs, Prisons, & Meth Queens
6/20/17
American cities are exploding with drug violence as the Clinton administration opens the door for Mexican cartels and ramps up prison sentences. An unlikely meth queen rises, while a crime lord takes vengeance.
4 Heroin, Terrorists, & Kings of Pain
6/21/17
After 9/11, heroin lords and terrorists forge an unholy alliance. Afghanistan is a Narco state. El Chapo goes on the run. Big Pharma becomes the new big drug lord as Americans get addicted and ponder if the war on drugs is worth it.

About this show

The war on drugs has cost America $1 trillion in a bizarre history that spans five decades. With prisons overflowing and heroin use reaching epidemic levels, HISTORY’s “America’s War on Drugs” uncovers the origins of the drug war and its unexpected effects on American culture, institutions and politics.

Ratings and reviews

4.1
7 reviews
A Google user
December 17, 2018
Excellent, incisive, hard-hitting, powerful series!
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Robert Carpenter
June 23, 2021
Cost not free.
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