Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way is a documentary film that provides a comprehensive history of the development, distribution, and impact of cocaine. Produced by the History Channel, the film is part of a larger series that explores the origins and impact of various substances that are either part of or have played a significant role in the drug trade.
The film begins by tracing the origin of cocaine, which was first discovered in the Andean mountains of South America. Indigenous communities have used coca leaves for centuries both as a source of energy and as a way to connect with the spiritual world. The film highlights the early extraction methods used by the indigenous people who chewed on coca leaves or brewed them in tea. Through the centuries, the natives learned to extract the psychoactive alkaloids from the leaves, mainly cocaine, and found its medicinal properties, such as providing relief from toothaches or altitude sickness.
As the documentary unfolds, we learn about the exploitation of the coca plant during colonialism and after the end of the Spanish rule, with the first influences of the American and European demand. The film shows how the 19th-century European chemists began experimenting with cocaine hydrochloride to treat a variety of ailments. Highlighted is the work of neurologist Sigmund Freud, who initially praised the drug's potential as a treatment for depression and other mental illnesses. Early on, the film explains how cocaine became popular after the Civil War because it provided energy and a sense of well-being, later becoming a cure-all for a host of ailments.
However, as the drug became increasingly popular, its recreational use led to widespread addiction and dependence, which the film portrays as a negative turning point. The film heavily emphasizes the social and individual toll of cocaine addiction, highlighting the substance's disastrous impact on personal relationships, work performance, and mental and physical health. The documentary also argues that the addiction leads to criminal activities like drug trafficking, which, in turn, results in increased violence and corruption.
The film then explores how cocaine has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, which is perpetuated by a complex and sophisticated system of traffickers, mules, labs, and buyers. Producers of the film explain that cocaine has become one of the most profitable illegal drugs in the world, second only to marijuana, and that its demand has continued to grow despite the damage it has caused to families and society.
In addition to discussing the economic and social impact of cocaine, Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way also provides historical context and perspectives on government policies, social attitudes, and medical treatments. The documentary tracks the adoption of various laws and international treaties, exploring how different approaches have been used to regulate the drug trade.
In conclusion, Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way: Cocaine, is an eye-opening and educational documentary that provides a thorough explanation of cocaine's history, impact, and current status in society. By combining historical facts, interviews with prominent academics, doctors, researchers, trafficking experts and survivors of drug addiction, the film delivers a sobering account of the evolution of the drug trade, and how its long-lasting effects have affected people's lives, past and present. The documentary offers valuable insights into an issue that remains a significant concern for public health and safety. Overall, it is an insightful documentary that also offers a moral message, advocating for public awareness and support for those seeking help to overcome addiction.
