The failure of America’s war on drugs has been well-documented, and the US Congress’ decision to tackle the country’s meth crisis head-on has been nowhere near as successful as was hoped.

Still, with the passing of the Patriot Act, it’s become far harder for meth manufacturers to get their hands on the chemicals needed to cook the goods.

As a result, much of the production has shifted to Mexico, and the potency of the drugs has soared.

VICE decided to take a closer look at what they say is an “unstoppable epidemic”:

Mexican cartels have begun mass-producing and exporting the deadly drug and meth has never been purer, cheaper, or more lethal as a result. This has had a major effect not only in the US but in Mexico as well, where meth labs are so ubiquitous that consumption from Mexican nationals is seeing a spike.

METH COUNTRY tracks the modern-day flow of meth from Mexico into the United States and the consumption of the drug in both countries.

If you enjoyed watching Breaking Bad, consider this a look at the real-life Heisenbergs operating south of the border:

[source:vice]