Introduction: Welcome to Valdemingómez;
Politics, ‘democracy’ and the ideology of the postmodern city;
Madrid: History, social processes and the growth in inequality;
Drugs, cultural change and drug markets;
Journeys to dependence;
Life in the city shadows: Work, identity and social status;
The council, police and health services: An impasse to solutions;
Post dependency: What next?;
Not really the conclusion;
Epilogue.