Dying To Be Free Summary

In 1989 George Herbert Walker Bush took office. As Reagan’s point man in the war on drugs, Bush vowed to rid the country of the drug problem once and for all. When investigated, it was found that under the Reagan administration Bush had secret meetings with Manuel Noriega – a man who was “… up to his ears in the cocaine trade.” Pg. 112. Bush was also rumored to have been involved in a guns-for-cocaine trade, but the trail stopped shortly before him. Also in chapter 6, we get a front row view at the heart of the cocoa industry. Farmers in rural South America were growing cocoa because it was the only way they could grow crops and make a living. Any other crop that could be grown cost too much to grow and export, whereas by growing cocoa they could make quick, bountiful yields and sell the raw product without having to pay for transport. The master behind the South American cocaine empire was none other than the infamous Pablo Escobar. Escobar combined with other large players in the cocaine industry to streamline the cocaine production. Escobar was as lethal as he was smart. His cartel controlled many major politicians and almost all of the police …show more content…
Patrick Cagey is a 25 year old college graduate. In his picture after rehab, he is smiling and healthy looking. He was glad to have kicked the habit. His family was very supportive and sat down to discuss what the next steps would be to keep him clean. Patrick went to group meetings to discuss his addiction and all prior bad relationships were severed. He even began talking to his ex girlfriend that he lost because of his drug addiction. One night, Patrick didn’t come home. They went to his condo looking for him and found him dead on the floor from an overdose. It only took one slip up five days after he left rehab to kill him. To the right is his last picture. Source: Huffington