Dopesick

by

Beth Macy

Matthew “Mack” Santiago Character Analysis

Mack is the Harlem supplier for the Woodstock, Virginia, heroin ring run by dealer Ronnie “D.C.” Jones. Mack remains mysterious, known only by his nickname and completely eluding investigators Lutz and Metcalf at first. He has a lot of resources at his disposal, including several assistants. Eventually, however, he slips up on some financial records and gets arrested while walking the dog near his Brooklyn home. He gets a lesser sentence than Jones or Jones’ collaborator because he was only a “flipper,” not someone working at the street level the way they were.
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Matthew “Mack” Santiago Character Timeline in Dopesick

The timeline below shows where the character Matthew “Mack” Santiago appears in Dopesick. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
Race, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice Theme Icon
Mack, the New York bulk heroin supplier for Jones, is still out there. Shaw’s side of... (full context)
Race, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice Theme Icon
Metcalf interrogates Jones, trying to find out who Mack is. Jones remains defiant and is even caught trying to coordinate new sales from in... (full context)
Poverty as an Obstacle to Recovery  Theme Icon
Cycles of History Theme Icon
Race, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice Theme Icon
...arrested four months after Jesse’s death. He tells Metcalf about a documentary on YouTube where Mack’s face is clearly featured. Even Shaw doesn’t know Mack’s real name, however. (full context)
Poverty as an Obstacle to Recovery  Theme Icon
Race, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice Theme Icon
Metcalf knows Mack has been recently released from prison. Mack is big time, with lawyers on retainer and... (full context)
Race, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice Theme Icon
Fighting the Medical Establishment Theme Icon
Metcalf finds Santiago (A.K.A. Mack) outside his apartment in Brooklyn walking a dog and arrests him. Wolthuis and... (full context)