Documentary Review: Poisoned by ABC News
The ABC News segment Poisoned is an eye-opening and deeply unsettling exposé that delves into the dangerous realities of drug safety, public health, and systemic injustice. By the time the credits rolled, I was left with a lingering sense of dread about substances many take for granted—whether over-the-counter pills, a cigarette, or even casual recreational drugs.
A Nightmare Unveiled
Poisoned succeeds in not only uncovering the flaws in our drug regulation systems but also forcing viewers to confront the historical and ongoing inequities tied to drug use and enforcement in America. The documentary peels back the curtain on the terrifying inconsistencies in pharmaceutical and recreational drug safety, leaving you questioning whether anything we consume is truly free from harm.
What struck me most was how Poisoned juxtaposes the personal toll of drug abuse with the structural failures of government and corporations. It’s not just the individual stories of addiction, illness, or death that hit hard—it’s the systemic negligence that allows these tragedies to flourish.
Historical Parallels and Systemic Racism
One of the segment’s most compelling angles is its exploration of the stark double standards in how drug use has been perceived and policed in America. For decades, Black and Brown communities bore the brunt of punitive drug policies. Crack cocaine, for example, was not only pushed into these communities—allegedly with government complicity—but also criminalized with devastating consequences. Addiction was framed as intentional criminality, deserving of harsh sentencing rather than compassion or treatment.
Fast forward to today, and we see marijuana—a drug once demonized and used as a tool for incarcerating people of color—emerging as a lucrative industry. White-owned cannabis businesses now reap windfall profits while countless Black and Brown individuals remain behind bars for the same substance. Poisoned lays bare this hypocrisy, emphasizing how the justice system has historically and systematically prioritized punishment over equity.
The Public Health Crisis
Where the documentary excels is in framing drug addiction as a public health crisis rather than a moral failing. This shift in perception, though long overdue, underscores the need for comprehensive drug reform. Addiction, Poisoned argues, should never have been about crime; it should have been about care.
This perspective also highlights the government’s inconsistent response to substance abuse. From the opioid epidemic to vaping controversies, we now see how the same public health lens once denied to marginalized communities is finally being applied—but only to certain populations. The documentary forces viewers to ask: Who gets the benefit of empathy, and why?
Scary Yet Necessary
Watching Poisoned is not a comfortable experience—it’s a wake-up call. The stories it tells and the data it presents make you question the trust you place in systems meant to protect you. Pills, cigarettes, cannabis—every substance is laden with risk, not just because of its inherent properties but because of the institutions profiting from and regulating them.
Conclusion
Poisoned is a documentary that does more than educate—it challenges. It forces viewers to reckon with the dark history of drug policy in America, the racial inequities that persist, and the urgent need for systemic change. The fear it inspires is warranted, but it’s not fear for fear’s sake. It’s a call to vigilance, advocacy, and reform.
This is more than a film; it’s a mirror held up to society, daring us to face uncomfortable truths. Be careful, indeed.
