The Business of Drugs

The Business of Drugs is a gripping and hard-hitting 2020 mini-documentary series broadcasted on Netflix. Over the span of six episodes, the series delves into the intricacies and socioeconomic impact of the global narcotics industry. It aims to examine and dissect the business aspect of the illegal drug industry and how it impacts economies, both regionally and globally. This heavy-hitting docuseries is hosted by Amaryllis Fox, a former CIA operative who expertly uses her background in international affairs and experience in counter-terrorism to hone in on the world’s most dangerous black markets.

Each episode of The Business of Drugs tackles a different category of substances, ranging from cocaine, synthetics, and heroin to meth, cannabis, and opioids. Taking on a methodical approach, it shines a light on each of these drugs, exploring aspects such as their origins, how they're made, how they're smuggled and sold, their market dynamics, and the socio-economic and political factors that fuel and propel their proliferation.

In a bid to reveal the complete picture of the illicit drug trade, Amaryllis travels across the globe, visiting various hotspots of drug production, trafficking, and consumption. The docuseries takes viewers from the poppy fields of Colombia to the underground labs in Afghanistan, the gritty streets of America to the internet’s dark web. It is an honest exposé of the ties between global drug trades and economic disparities, corruption, instability, and the role of socio-political establishments.

One of the defining aspects of The Business of Drugs is its determination to look beyond the criminality of these substances, reframing our understanding of the drug economy through a socioeconomic lens. The series zeroes in on the underside of global capitalism, showcasing how the forces that propel the international economy also drive the global drug trade. Fox effectively scrutinizes the supply and demand dynamics, profit margins, branding, customer bases, distribution networks, market competition, and the unofficial employment generated by the drug trade.

Through interviews with various parties involved – directly or indirectly – in the drug trade including law enforcement officials, traffickers, users, doctors, and experts in the field, the series aims to present a 360-degree view of the issue. The importance of viewing drug trades through a public health perspective, rather than criminal, is also a significant focus. It offers an immersive look into how drugs have not only infiltrated our societies but also exposes the undeniably profitable legal structures that allow the industry to persist.

The Business of Drugs, however, is not just about the profits and economics of the drug trade. It’s also about the human cost of it. The series sheds light on the environments that create the demand for these substances, from the depths of unemployment and poverty in rural areas to high stress and anxious environments of urban life. It highlights the destruction these substances cause and the lives that are indelibly marked by their impacts.

The docuseries strikes a poignant tone, forcing viewers to challenge preconceived notions about illegal substances. It’s about questioning why some drugs are illegal while others aren't and how these decisions impact decades of policy-making, carving a path for newer, more lethal substances to enter the fray.

In The Business of Drugs, Fox compiles an evocative analysis of a complex issue, driving a strong narrative that demands both attention and action. She takes on the role of a modern-day gumshoe, using her skills to break down the complex world of the drug trade into a more understandable format. It’s a serious and analytical examination of an industry that thrives in the shadows, often dismissed under moral and legal implications without understanding its undercurrents and implications.

In conclusion, The Business of Drugs is a deeply profound mini-documentary series that aims to remove the layers of taboo shrouding the global narcotics industry. It provides a stark and illuminating exploration of how drugs are far more than just a global menace, effectively tying them into the very fabric of global capitalism, societal structures, and complexities of economic systems. By presenting an all-encompassing view of the drug trade, it doesn’t just challenge but also forces a re-think of our established conceptions about drugs.