Meth Wars

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Drugs have long influenced the symbolic and material boundaries of social life, particularly through the lens of methamphetamine, which occupies a significant space in public consciousness. In this exploration, Travis Linnemann examines the systems of power that reinforce race and class hierarchies while advancing political agendas, particularly in rural America. He argues that the war on drugs and terror are interconnected, implicating local police and counter-narcoterror agents in a collective effort to maintain capitalist social order. Through various media, including the popular series Breaking Bad and the pervasive imagery of mug shots in news outlets, Linnemann illustrates how the so-called 'meth epidemic' intertwines themes of war, policing, drugs, and terror across urban and rural divides. He addresses the environmental hazards posed by meth production, the bodily and racial insecurities it generates, and the coalitions formed to safeguard families and uphold traditional morals. Additionally, he highlights the politics of mobility and borders, showcasing how police efforts to combat trafficking connect small-town streets to global battlefields, framing a complex narrative of security and the ongoing Meth Wars.