Can we ever solve the global drug crisis? In 1978, Canadian psychologist Bruce K. Alexander conducted a radical experiment involving rats and heroin that would revolutionize the way we understand addiction. Thirty years later, this timely and conversation-worthy VICE doc connects the long forgotten “Rat Park” findings with three stories taking place 10,000 miles apart—revealing why addiction is not really about the substances, it’s about the cages we live in. In the aftermath of the futile war on drugs, a world where narcotics are legalized might be the only option.
Director Shawney Cohen, producer Rachel Browne and harm reduction warrior Justin Kunzelmann will join us for a live Q&A following the screening
Rat Park is a VICE Studios production, produced in association with CRAVE, a division of Bell Media Inc., and produced with the participation of The Telus Fund.