A renowned African American jazz singer who became famous for her anti-lynching song "Strange Fruit." She faced legal and personal battles, including harassment by Harry Anslinger due to her drug use and her impact on the music scene.

A Jewish gangster from New York City in the 1920s known for his gambling enterprises and involvement in the Black Sox scandal. He foresaw the financial opportunities in drug prohibition, likening it to the liquor trade during alcohol prohibition.

A former drug dealer and gang leader in New York City who became an activist against the war on drugs and youth incarceration. His experiences highlight the culture of violence in gang life and his eventual move away from it.

A former Baltimore police captain and undercover agent who shifted from making numerous drug arrests to advocating for drug law reform as a lawyer. She changed her stance after recognizing racial biases and increased violence related to drug enforcement.

Once an agent under Harry Anslinger, he later served as sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, where he became notorious for his harsh immigration policies and controversial tactics. His connection to Anslinger is explored through his tenure and practices.

A former hitman for the Mexican drug cartel known as the Zetas, starting at age 15. He later revealed secrets about the cartel, surviving despite the risks, and his story illustrates the cartel's control over regions like Ciudad Juárez.

A nurse and social activist from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, who sought justice after her daughter was murdered by a cartel member. Her public campaign against the drug cartel highlights their power and influence in Mexican society.

A Canadian doctor known for his work with drug addicts and his theory that addiction results from both substance availability and an individual's traumatic experiences. His approach contrasts with traditional pharmaceutical models of addiction.

A Canadian psychologist famous for the Rat Park experiments, which suggested that environment plays a significant role in addiction. His work explored the impact of social and physical settings on drug dependency.

A poet and activist from Vancouver who founded the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and campaigned for supervised injection sites. His efforts aimed to reduce overdose deaths and improve life expectancy in drug-affected communities.

The first Jewish and female President of Switzerland who, as Minister of Home Affairs, implemented drug policy reforms in response to the country's HIV and addiction crisis. Her program allowed controlled heroin use to help addicts rebuild their lives.

Portugal's national drug coordinator responsible for the country's drug decriminalization policy in the early 2000s. His efforts focused on treating addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one, resulting in significant reductions in problematic drug use.

The former president of Uruguay who, after years in a guerrilla movement, legalized marijuana to reduce drug cartel influence. His policy allowed regulated access to marijuana, making it a controlled and taxable substance.