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in the heart of austin, texas, a dangerous drug is making a comeback. methamphetamine, or crystal meth, is once again spreading across the united states, and national geographic's mariana van zeller is on a mission to uncover the truth. in her series, 'trafficked with mariana van zeller', she dives deep into the world of drug trafficking, exploring the complex and dangerous inner-workings of the global underworld.
in this episode, mariana meets with a meth dealer named mike, who has been dealing for over five years. he doesn't want his clients to know where he lives, so he sets up shop at a hotel for what he calls a 'cattle call'. as the night unfolds, mariana watches as mike conducts deals with a steady stream of customers, each one more desperate than the last.
"the freaks come out tonight," mike says, as he sorts through his phone full of messages from potential buyers. it's a busy friday night, and every deal is interrupted by another call from another customer. mariana is struck by the sheer volume of demand for this dangerous drug, and she wonders how it has managed to make a comeback after being so widely condemned in the past.
to understand the rise of meth, mariana delves into the history of the drug. methamphetamine was first synthesized in japan in the late 1800s, and it was used as a stimulant during world war ii. after the war, it was prescribed as a treatment for a variety of ailments, including depression and obesity. however, it wasn't long before the drug's addictive properties were discovered, and it was banned in many countries.
despite the ban, meth continued to be produced and sold illegally, and it became a popular drug among the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s. in the 1980s and 1990s, meth use exploded in the united states, particularly in rural areas. the drug was cheap, easy to make, and highly addictive, and it quickly became a major public health crisis.
in recent years, meth use has declined in some parts of the country, but it is making a comeback in others. according to the national institute on drug abuse, meth use has increased in the midwest and the south, particularly among young adults. the reasons for this are complex, but they include factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare.
mariana's interview with mike sheds light on the human side of the meth epidemic. he is a small-time dealer, but he is part of a larger network of suppliers and distributors. he knows the risks of his profession, but he is willing to take them for the money. he sees the damage that meth does to people's lives, but he is also addicted to the thrill of the drug trade.
as mariana leaves the hotel, she is left with a sense of unease. she has seen the dark side of the meth trade, and she knows that it will take more than a few arrests to stop it. she hopes that her series will raise awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking and inspire people to take action against it.
"the only way to stop the spread of drugs is to address the root causes of addiction," she says. "we need to provide people with the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives, and we need to hold those who profit from drug trafficking accountable for their actions."
if you want to learn more about the meth epidemic and the work of mariana van zeller, be sure to check out 'trafficked with mariana van zeller' on national geographic. and if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please seek help from a qualified professional.
"the only way to stop the spread of drugs is to address the root causes of addiction," mariana van zeller says. "we need to provide people with the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives, and we need to hold those who profit from drug trafficking accountable for their actions."
for more information on the impact of climate on civilization, check out this article from schooltube: the impact of climate on civilization. and for a closer look at the gray areas of marijuana legalization, be sure to read this article: marijuana legalization: the gray areas.
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