Rusty Young (writer)

Rusty Young (born 1969, Dallas, Texas) is an American author best known for his non-fiction book Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail.

Marching Powder, co-authored with Thomas McFadden, tells the story of McFadden's experiences as a convicted drug trafficker incarcerated in San Pedro prison in La Paz, Bolivia. Young, then a young backpacker, met McFadden and was captivated by his story, eventually spending months inside the prison to document McFadden's life and the unique society that existed within its walls. The book details the prison's unusual social structure, where inmates could buy or rent cells, operate businesses, and even have their families live with them.

Young's writing has also appeared in various publications, and he has worked as a journalist. Marching Powder has been translated into multiple languages and has been the subject of considerable media attention due to its portrayal of the unconventional and often dangerous conditions inside San Pedro prison. He has also written a follow-up to Marching Powder titled Shooting Meth (2013).