Where the Strong Towns Movement Is Headed in 2026

Dreamland by Sam Quinones tells the story of two powerful drug industries—that of prescription opiates and black tar heroin—driven by capitalism and greed. The book examines how the medical community's shift towards pain relief, fueled by pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, and the influx of black tar heroin from Mexico, contributed to the opiate epidemic. Quinones uses personal anecdotes, historical context, and a cast of characters including pharmaceutical pioneers, Mexican entrepreneurs, and narcotics investigators to illustrate the catastrophic impact on American communities. The book also highlights the role of community in recovery and the need for addressing the underlying social and economic issues that contributed to the epidemic.