Narco Wars

As far as recreational activities go, substance abuse is one of the riskiest and most destructive ones out there. Not only do you risk your health, financial stability, credibility and relationship status, you also risk that of everyone around you.

Once a person’s main priority becomes getting their next high, no matter the cost or the consequences, it’s just a matter of time before they find themselves alone in the world. The only people willing to hang out with them are other substance abusers, and good luck getting out once that’s the case.

Seeing how drugs can ruin someone’s life, and the lives of those around them, it’s understandable why governments would want to do everything they can to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, the default reaction most governments have to dangerous things is aggression.

In Latin America, famous for creating and distributing tons of drugs to the US and other countries, their government did just that. $1 trillion has been spent in law enforcement trying to rid the streets of drugs and drug dealers. What they got in return was 2.5 million deaths and a narcotic industry stronger and smarter than ever.

In this 10-part series, we go behind the scenes on both sides of the war. We examine its past and present to understand why, despite law enforcement efforts, the drug business is booming like never before.

 Mondays at 9 PM on National Geographic (ch 220) from Monday, 25 January