MSNBC SPECIAL “WASTELAND: THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF METH” LOOKS AT THE INNOCENT, UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE, SUNDAY 6 PM ET ON MSNBC
Secaucus, N.J. - Children. Law enforcement. Unsuspecting families. These are the real victims of methamphetamine, a drug that has taken hold in communities all across the country. NBC News Co-Anchor of “Weekend Today” and MSNBC Anchor Lester Holt hosts “Wasteland: The Innocent Victims of Meth,” an hour-long MSNBC special that investigates the far-reaching fallout from widespread methamphetamine use in the United States, Sunday, December 18th at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 12 million Americans have used methamphetamine. But many others who’ve never even tried this cheap and powerful drug are suffering the consequences. In the past five years, roughly 14,000 children have been discovered living in meth labs nationwide - places that are often filthy, with little to eat. New scientific research is also suggesting that just being in a meth lab is like walking onto a hazardous waste site.
The documentary focuses on the innocent victims of the drug - the children of meth users, the law enforcement officers who bust make-shift labs, and unknowing families who purchase homes with a history they would have never imagined. It’s been at least 20 years since the first lab began producing meth and the extent of the damaging effects are only now being seen.
Scott Hooker and Janet Tobias are executive producers. Elise Warner is senior producer. Craig Delaval is producer.