If you want to know the best vice drug documentaries on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. We are talking here about drugs as a vice, so don’t hope you’ll find any Vice documentaries. They are unfortunately unavailable on Netflix.
Now, the drugs have always been a fascinating topic for filmmakers. It can be covered from multiple aspects, from production, distribution, and use to their legal status of drugs. That is just not the case with other vices. Smoking and drinking obviously are not topics hot enough for the filmmakers, probably due to cigarettes and alcohol being legal. Aren’t the illegal things always more interesting, at least at first?
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While you will occasionally stumble on a documentary that will tell you everything you need to know about heroin or cocaine, you are more likely to find a documentary talking about the War on Drugs or attempts to legalize marijuana. It has been like this since 1971 when the government of the United States began with the campaign to keep the streets of the country free from drugs.
As you will see from many of these documentaries, the United States miserably failed in their efforts. The War on Drugs campaign turned out to be most expensive and longest war that the country participated in. It is estimated that the country spends around $50 billion annually on the campaign. It also contributed that the United States have the highest prison population in the world and almost ¼ of that population is doing time for drug-related offenses. If the War on Drugs is indeed successful, why do people still commit drug-related crimes in large quantities? Shouldn’t the rate of drug abuse be smaller? If you like more lighthearted approach to documentaries, check out these 15 Best Vice Documentaries on YouTube.
In order to find the best vice drug documentaries on Netflix, we took recommendations about drug-related documentaries overall and on Netflix from multiple sources including Cheat Sheet and Mic. Then we checked the documentaries for their availability on Netflix (New on Netflix) since the streaming service constantly changes its content. Those available were then ranked according to their IMDb rating. Let’s give it a look.
7. Prescription Thugs
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Just because something is legal, it doesn’t make it less dangerous. Prescription drugs have become an alarming issue in the United States and quite frankly, all over the world. In this documentary, director Chris Bell decides to investigate how serious is the problem in the United States regarding the addiction to prescription drugs. The documentary also focuses on the role of pharmaceutical companies and medical experts in creating the problem.
6. Cocaine
IMDb Rating: 7.2
This three-episode documentary mini-series that ranks 6th on our list of best vice drug documentaries on Netflix will reveal you everything you wanted to know about the favorite drug of celebrities, cocaine. It explores the production of cocaine, its use, distribution, and control.
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5. DMT: The Spirit Molecule
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Dimethyltryptamine is a compound found in humans, plants, and animals, considered to be among the strongest psychedelics on the planet. This documentary follows the research on the compound led by Dr. Rick Strassman and documents his trials and discoveries.
4. Cartel Land
IMDb Rating: 7.4
This documentary talks about common people fighting against drugs on both sides of Mexico-U.S. border. A local physician from Michoacán gathers citizens in the attempt to do something about the drug cartel that has been making their life miserable. Across, on the land called the United States, a veteran organizes a group that tries to stop drugs from Mexico crossing the border. It is definitely one of best vice drug documentaries on Netflix.
3. Drugs, Inc.
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Now if you want something to occupy you for a longer period of time, then Drugs, Inc. should be your top pick. It explores different drugs, their production, and usage while featuring interviews with drug users, drug dealers, law enforcers, and experts in the field. Episodes in first two seasons of the series investigate particular drugs, while the following seasons highlight the drug problems in particular cities.
2. Cocaine Cowboys
IMDb Rating: 7.9
This documentary will take you back to 1970s and 1980s in Miami and give you an insight into the time when the city became known as “the Drug Capital of The World”. The documentary largely focuses on “Miami Drug War” which represents the multiple drug wars between the Government of the United States and various drug cartels, especially Medellin Cartel.
1. The Culture High
IMDb Rating: 8.3
We will finish our list of best vice drug documentaries on Netflix with the cannabis related documentary. This one revolves around the legal status of weed in the United States, while also giving its own take on the War on Drugs. Unlike most of other documentaries, The Culture High picks no sides. It gives and respects arguments for both marijuana legalization and prohibition. It features appearances from notable marijuana advocates including Snoop Dog and Wiz Khalifa. The documentary was created by Brett Harvey who is also credited with making the documentary The Union: The Business Behind Getting High.
