Ep 4. Heroin, Terrorists & Kings of Pain

In America's War on Drugs season 1 episode 4, entitled "Heroin, Terrorists & Kings of Pain," viewers are taken on a deep dive into the global heroin trade and its impact on the War on Terror.

The episode begins by exploring the rise of opium production in Afghanistan, which now accounts for over 90% of the world's heroin supply. With the Taliban's control of poppy fields and their ties to terrorist organizations, heroin trade has become a major source of funding for global terrorism.

Viewers are introduced to a range of experts, including former CIA officer and Afghanistan expert Jack Rice, as well as author and terrorism expert Loretta Napoleoni. They provide insights into the connection between drug trafficking and terrorism, explaining how drug money is used to fund jihadist organizations.

The episode also sheds light on the human cost of the heroin epidemic in America, with a focus on the city of Baltimore. Viewers meet heroin addicts and former addicts who share their stories, as well as the first responders and health professionals who are on the front lines of the crisis.

The show also delves into the role of prescription painkillers in the heroin epidemic, with interviews with doctors and researchers who discuss how overprescribing pain medication has played a major role in the surge of opioid addiction in the United States.

Through interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, "Heroin, Terrorists & Kings of Pain" uncovers the complex web of connections between drug trafficking, terrorism, and addiction, demonstrating how this global crisis affects people around the world.