Ep 24. Mile High

In the 24th episode of season 1 of Drugs, Inc. titled "Mile High," the production crew delves into the world of drug trafficking in Denver, Colorado. Denver is shown as a city with a unique drug culture, with many different types of drugs being sourced and sold throughout the area.

The episode begins by exploring the sale and distribution of marijuana in Denver. The city's recent legalization of recreational marijuana has created a booming industry. Huge warehouses full of marijuana plants and dispensaries where the product is sold legally provide an intriguing look into this previously illegal industry. The show also explores the black market sales of marijuana, which continues despite its legalization, revealing that there are still those who prefer the easy cash from selling to those not able to purchase legally.

Next, the cameras shift their focus to the opioid epidemic that has hit Denver hard in recent years. Opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, are smuggled into the city and sold via street-level dealers across the metro. The documentary crew speaks with users and activists who are trying to bring awareness to the problem. They look into the state's regulation in regards to prescription drugs and how that has fueled the growth of illicit drug sales.

The show provides an inside look into the manufacturing and sale of methamphetamine, an "insidious drug" as referred by one specialist. Denver is known as the "Mile High City," and this episode highlights that not only in altitude. The city's location makes it an ideal location for people in the drug-making industry to set up almost hidden meth labs in the Rockies. This technology & architecture-rich episode comes with first-hand accounts of how meth is cooked and how its users are affected when they become addicted.

Lastly, the crew looks into the popularity of cocaine on Denver's bustling nightclub scene. Despite the stigma associated with drug use, club goers openly admit their use of cocaine as they party, highlighting the drug's demand in the city's nightlife. There is a section dedicated to the cocaine trade that sees kilos of coke smuggled from South America and Mexico into Denver, where it all ends in profit and emotional debts.

Throughout the episode, the show highlights the struggles faced by law enforcement and other agencies combatting the distribution of drugs in Denver. The documentary delves into stories, perspectives, and lives that are greatly affected by drugs, from the dealers to the users, as well as law enforcement officers fighting the war on drugs.

The show takes a comprehensive look at a range of drugs and their markets in Denver, starting from the legal sale of marijuana to the illegal trade of opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the area. The show is educational, informative, and delivers an accurate representation of how drugs have a considerable impact on different aspects of society, which in turn affects the economy as well. The documentary provides insightful information on the daily struggle against drug trafficking in Denver and its impact on local communities.