How to Fix a Drug Scandal

Very well done from start to finish. The cover ups really get the viewer frustrated with the need to see resolution. I'm not good at staying up late but was up until midnight finishing this.

How to Fix a Drug Scandal (2020-2020) Amazing doc about the drug testing system, and the lengths the District Attorney and Attorney General's offices are willing to take to keep injustice contained and not investigated. This shows the egregious faults and clear conflict of interest in the prosecutorial process by allowing their own prosecutors to determine what is, and what is not, relevant to the defense. They have a duty, a sworn and solemn responsibility, to turn over any exculpatory evidence in discovery to the defense. This doc clearly shows just how flawed that premise is at the cost of social justice and affection thousands of people. A 4 part series everyone should be aware of. And it's just One of the many roadblocks to justice systemic in the judicial process. Don't even get me started on the for profit prison systems, the worst case of conflict of interest I can think of, or the fact that after serving out their complete sentences, felons are never free of the stain as they attempt to renter society in an endlessly uphill battle to find employment, gain housing, secure loans, or even reacquire their basic rights as citizens like their right to vote! This whole system and the fact that over 60% of all inmates are for drug related offenses as a result of a 50 year old misguided drug policy which has clearly been demonstrated to be an utter failure. Punishing drug users with jail time and treating them as criminals instead of the addicts they are needing treatment, is a policy which completely fails to address the real problem and sadly has contributed to a US per capita incarnation rate higher than Any Other Country In The World! Is that really a #1 ranking we wish to have or can be proud of? I think not.

I watched this all in one sitting and enjoyed it thoroughly. This is NOT a politically charged documentary. It is fair and balanced and paints a balanced picture of the many parties involved. The movie is not strongly advocating for criminal justice reform, it is simply advocating for justice and truth. It also touches on addiction and you can see how it affects different populations in different ways. The chemists are sentenced less than some of the thousands of people they helped put behind bars. They documentary fails to explore how drug use impacts because across socioeconomic lines. They could have delved even deeper into the context of the war on drugs and the effects it has had overwhelming the criminal justice system. I personally think it could have been longer to provide more of this context. I could have watched even more on the two fraudulent chemists as well. Very interesting if you enjoy learning about the criminal justice system, fraud, or drugs.

While many reviews debate the politics and potential bias of this series, at the end of the days one thing remains: rules are rules.

If you're responsible for the analysis and reporting of alleged drug seizures, you must do so objectively, accurately and honestly. To perform this task while impaired by drugs or, even worse, not testing but signing off on positive results is both unethical and unacceptable. For government departments to then minimise or bury the issues only worsens the situation.

At the end of the day, this was an entertaining and informative program that highlights, yet again, the flawed nature of our 'Justice System'.

It's a much maligned group by many Americans, but I cannot imagine somebody watching this documentary series and not at the very least judging Luke Ryan as a hero.