The documentary (2021), directed by Stanley Nelson, explores the devastating 1980s crack epidemic in America. It highlights how the drug's emergence was met with a "War on Drugs" that many argue was more of a war on marginalized communities. The Rise of Crack

The documentary sheds light on the legal disparities that decimated Black and Brown communities.

In the early 1980s, during a period of recession, crack emerged as a cheap and powerful version of cocaine. While powder cocaine was often associated with wealthy white users, crack quickly became a fixture in lower-income, inner-city neighborhoods. Systemic Corruption and Conspiracy

Watch the official trailer to see how the documentary explores the 'shadowy origins' and systemic impact of the crack epidemic:

: The epidemic and subsequent policing strategies led to mass incarceration, the vilification of Black women (the "crack baby" and "crack mother" myths), and the destruction of families.