Drugs - The New King of Coke

The story, and modern condition of Peru, its people, and several aspects of its culture and society that are explored in the Vice News documentary The New King of Coke begins where so many investigative drug documentaries do and must - Nixons declaration of the ongoing War on Drugs. The story continues with the also ongoing demand, and subsequent opportunities presented to benefit as a means of supply for those who provide the drugs to countries seen as being ahead of the curve as far as the War on Drugs is concerned countries far away from the Latin American lands associated with the growth, curation, and exportation of the drug. When we think of a time in history being a pinnacle for Latin American coke dealers and American cocaine use, we think the 80s, and if there is one specific Latin American country that comes to mind, its Colombia for most people. However, most people who have this Colombian cocaine association also know that the American war on drugs also inspired the Colombian government to take similar action, and that after much violent opposition, Colombia ceased in being the powerhouse it once was. Most people also know that cocaine continues to be used widely, and after viewing this documentary youll have a firsthand look into the world that makes the continued use of the drug possible. Sustaining demand drove production of cocaine to Peru where there are prime environmental conditions, and no shortage of people being introduced to the business of making the illicit substance at ages almost too young to fathom. The early exposure to the lifestyle of cocaine farming and production puts the industry in a very different light for those in Peru who see this as the most profitable and in many ways efficient way to get by, versus government officials who strive to make a show out of how well they are doing in eradicating the growth and sale of cocaine in Peru. Those government officials interviewed for The New King of Coke will have you to believe that growth has decreased, and why wouldnt it have with U.N. involvement and a military presence similar to the one in Colombia? The staggering statistics for growth potential presented in the film may answer that question and many more.