Dope Girls

Set against the backdrop of post-World War I London, the narrative revolves around Billie Carleton, a young actress whose tragic death from a cocaine overdose sparked a national discourse on drug use. The investigation into her death reveals a complex web of societal issues, including the stigmatization of the Chinese community and the exploitation of vulnerable women. The book explores how perceptions of drugs shifted from commonplace to dangerous, intertwining themes of race, class, and gender, and reflecting on their relevance in contemporary Britain.