America's War on Drugs
TV Show · Crime · History

“America’s War on Drugs” is an immersive trip through the last five decades, uncovering how the CIA, obsessed with keeping America safe in the fight against communism, allied itself with the mafia and foreign drug traffickers. In exchange for support against foreign enemies, the groups were allowed to grow their drug trade in the United States. The series explores the unintended consequences of when gangsters, war lords, spies, outlaw entrepreneurs, street gangs and politicians vie for power and control of the global black market for narcotics – all told through the firsthand accounts of former CIA and DEA officers, major drug traffickers, gang members, noted experts and insiders. Night one of “America’s War on Drugs” divulges covert Cold War operations that empowered a generation of drug traffickers and reveals the peculiar details of secret CIA LSD experiments which helped fuel the counter-culture movement, leading to President Nixon’s crackdown and declaration of a war on drugs. The documentary series then delves into the rise of the cocaine cowboys, a secret island “cocaine base,” the CIA’s connection to the crack epidemic, the history of the cartels and their murderous tactics, the era of “Just Say No,” the negative effect of NAFTA, and the unlikely career of an almost famous Midwest meth queen. The final chapter of the series examines how the attacks on September 11th intertwined the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, transforming Afghanistan into a narco-state teeming with corruption. It also explores how American intervention in Mexico helped give rise to El Chapo and the Super Cartels, bringing unprecedented levels of violence and sending even more drugs across America’s borders. Five decades into the War on Drugs, a move to legalize marijuana gains momentum, mega-corporations have become richer and more powerful than any nation’s drug cartel, and continuing to rise is the demand for heroin and other illegal drugs.

2017 · 1h 5m
Starring Omar Abdi, Waj Ali, Richard Stratton
Director Julian Kemp

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Acid, Spies, & Secret Experiments
    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.
    1h 5m
  • EPISODE 2
    Cocaine, Cartels, & Crack Downs
    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.
    1h 8m
  • EPISODE 3
    Gangs, Prisons, & Meth Queens
    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.
    1h 8m
  • EPISODE 4
    Heroin, Terrorists, & Kings of Pain
    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.
    1h 7m

Related

Cast & Crew

  • O‌A
    Omar Abdi
    Ahmed Wali Karzai
  • W‌A
    Waj Ali
    Haji Juma Khan
  • R‌S
    Richard Stratton
    Self
  • J‌K
    Julian Kemp
    Director
  • Julian Hobbs
    Producer
  • Elli Hakami
    Producer
  • A‌L
    Anthony Lappé
    Producer

About

America's War on Drugs

Crime

“America’s War on Drugs” is an immersive trip through the last five decades, uncovering how the CIA, obsessed with keeping America safe in the fight against communism, allied itself with the mafia and foreign drug traffickers. In exchange for support against foreign enemies, the groups were allowed to grow their drug trade in the United States. The series explores the unintended consequences of when gangsters, war lords, spies, outlaw entrepreneurs, street gangs and politicians vie for power and control of the global black market for narcotics – all told through the firsthand accounts of former CIA and DEA officers, major drug traffickers, gang members, noted experts and insiders. Night one of “America’s War on Drugs” divulges covert Cold War operations that empowered a generation of drug traffickers and reveals the peculiar details of secret CIA LSD experiments which helped fuel the counter-culture movement, leading to President Nixon’s crackdown and declaration of a war on drugs. The documentary series then delves into the rise of the cocaine cowboys, a secret island “cocaine base,” the CIA’s connection to the crack epidemic, the history of the cartels and their murderous tactics, the era of “Just Say No,” the negative effect of NAFTA, and the unlikely career of an almost famous Midwest meth queen. The final chapter of the series examines how the attacks on September 11th intertwined the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, transforming Afghanistan into a narco-state teeming with corruption. It also explores how American intervention in Mexico helped give rise to El Chapo and the Super Cartels, bringing unprecedented levels of violence and sending even more drugs across America’s borders. Five decades into the War on Drugs, a move to legalize marijuana gains momentum, mega-corporations have become richer and more powerful than any nation’s drug cartel, and continuing to rise is the demand for heroin and other illegal drugs.

Information

Studio
History
Released
2017
Rated
TV-14
Region of Origin
United States
© 2017 A+E Networks. All Rights Reserved.

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English (United States)
Audio

English (United States) (AAC)

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English (United States) (CC)

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Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

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  • Armenia
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  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
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  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
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