The trade in opioid drugs, zombie drugs, etc. is rampant in Philadelphia communities in the United States. Photo credit: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“Zombie drug tourism” (tranq tourism) is one of the recent discussion topics on the international version of TikTok. This type of video mainly shoots “addicts” who inject sedatives or take drugs. Some are secretly filmed, and some may be taken while the other person is intoxicated after taking the drug. Taken while confused. These videos have basically no content, but have been viewed over a million times, which begs the question:What is the purpose of photographing drug addicts?
Kensington, a low-income community in North Philadelphia, USA, is rampant with drugs, and a new sedative drug began to appear in 2021Xylazine (tranq), its side effects make it difficult to stand upright, so many people call it a “zombie drug.” After taking it, drug addicts have blurred eyes and walk slowly, like zombies; the most serious side effect is skin ulcers.Xylazine is only approved for veterinary use, since it is notOpioids, emergency treatment with naloxone is not possible, so there are more deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between January 2019 and June 2022, the proportion of fatal opioid overdoses detected increased by 276%.
Xylazine quickly spread across the United States, surging in areas such as Philadelphia, attracting many TikTok influencers to these places“pilgrimage”，Filming drug addicts after taking drugsThe reason why they do this is simply to make money.
In the videos uploaded to social platforms such as TikTok, most drug addicts are filmed in an unconscious and difficult-to-commit state after taking xylazine, and are sometimes asked about their private lives. The photographer may only be visiting the community for a short time and is not familiar with the local environment; through filming, the more views, the more money they will make.
Kensington non-profit organization Savage Sisters Sarah Laurel, the founder of , knew a drug addict who was filmed taking drugs. The video went viral online and he received $50. Laurel said there are now more than 150 channels reporting on Kensington and what’s happening here, and she wants people filming to stop going into the community because it’s “exploitation and profiting from what we’re going through.”
Such videos often use keywords such as “help” or “raise awareness,” as the photographer attempts to explain why he or she created the content, while the person being photographed is rarely or vaguely depicted in the video. The filmmaker, who runs the YouTube channel Kensington Daily, admits that he does it mainly for money, and there is almost no way for viewers to donate money or help the disadvantaged communities featured in the film.
Geri-Lynn Utter, a clinical psychologist who studies addiction, said the videos made drug addicts look like zoo animals rather than people in need, criticizing the filmers’ actions as tantamount to exploitation. “People from all over Europe and the United States flocked to this community and pointed their phones or cameras at these people’s faces.” However, content creator Jeff believes that if the resources earned are reinvested in the community, such filming is ethical. In his opinion, For example, he earns about $1,000 a month buying supplies such as wound care supplies and clothing for drug addicts.
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2023-12-19 22:47:24