The Cheat Sheet to Understanding “Dreamland” by Sam Quinones

In “Dreamland”, Sam Quinones uncovers the harrowing tale of how a small town in Ohio became ground zero for the opioid epidemic, intertwining the stories of Mexican drug cartels, pharmaceutical companies, and the desperate lives affected by addiction.

Image of a small Mexican town with vibrant poppy fields, symbolizing the origins of the Xalisco Boys’ operation.

Dreamland by Sam Quinones is a meticulously researched and riveting exposé that delves into the origins and devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic in America.

Quinones weaves together various narratives, taking readers on a journey from the tranquil poppy fields of Xalisco, Mexico, to the Rust Belt towns of Portsmouth, Ohio, where painkillers flooded the streets and shattered countless lives.

The book begins by exploring the rise of the Xalisco Boys, a group of ambitious young men from a small Mexican town who found a lucrative opportunity in selling black tar heroin.