Central Valley, California, is a region that has been devastated by the methamphetamine epidemic. In Fresno, an area particularly hard-hit by this highly addictive and relatively inexpensive drug, Louis Theroux travels to investigate its effects on the community.
Louis finds a world of broken dreams; homes filled with addiction and despair. Meth has blighted entire families, sending men and women to prisons where they are unable to find work when they are released. Louis interviews rural residents who are struggling with addiction and their families, as well as those trying to combat the problem. Through his eyes we get an up close view of the heartbreaking consequences of unchecked meth addiction in Central Valley, California.
Louis Theroux’s documentary powerfully captures the realities of life in these communities blighted by meth abuse: poverty, hopelessness and anger all mixed together with flashes of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. From dealers on street corners to addicts crowded into hospital wards – it’s a riveting journey through a world largely unknown to most viewers.
This documentary provides an important window into a world that is otherwise rarely seen or heard about in mainstream media. It offers insight into how drug addiction can devastate not only individuals but entire communities. If you want to gain deeper understanding into this murky world, then watching Louis Theroux’s ‘Crystal Meth In The Central Valley’ is essential viewing.