“Is it going to be Kassandra?” There’s a reason that question was asked over and over in harm reduction circles after the departure of Maria McFarland Sanchez-Moreno, the previous executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, was announced at the beginning of the year.

In a series of past roles at DPA*, Kassandra Frederique has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable advocates out there—whether leading street protests, whipping up a conference crowd, lobbying in Albany or speaking out to the media. So to many who know her, it felt like only a matter of time.