Image Source: Mikail Duran from Unsplash
Have you seen a real land of Zombies? I thought I'll only see zombie-like people in movies. But yesterday I saw a post on Facebook regarding these real-life zombie people. It's in Kensington Ave Philadelphia, most people in there are like zombies. They act like that because of drug addiction. It is being called the Badland, a hell on earth.
I know this information is a little late because it happens a year ago but still, the issue is ongoing. People in Kensington are taking drugs there legally. Drug dealers are not being arrested by police. There are 5,000 plus homeless people there and most of them are high. Due to the drug's effect, they move like a zombie.
I've been watching documentaries last night, you can watch them too if you like. Just follow the link below as it is restricted for ages.
What happens to Kensington Philadelphia?
There are several factors why homeless people in Kensington Ave grow in numbers.
Covid-19 pandemic
Can't afford to house
Some of them are from another state
Depressed people (Mental health issues)
Abandoned by their family or being disowned
Stayed there for the opioid supply
COVID-19 pandemic
Due to COVID-19 many people lost their jobs, and become frustrated. This added to the reasons why people in Kensington grow as it is not illegal to stay on the streets. They can sleep in public places and nobody will reprimand them.
Covid-19 makes the world suffer from financial problems and these people in Kensington are one of the proof. They can't afford to rent or buy houses anymore as they are even struggling to buy food.
Can't afford to buy a house
Most of them can't afford or are not qualified in applying for housing, pretty sure due to lack of financial capabilities in paying for the homeowner's rights or whatever. Some said, the USA is a dreamland but to some, it is not. The lifestyle in there is more costly than in other countries.
Some of them are from other states
According to some Philadelphians, most people in Kensington is not a native of Philadelphia. They are from another state, maybe they went there for work.. or whatever reason and then got lockdown during the covid pandemic spread.
When they stayed there they were tempted to use drugs to ease their depression and hunger. They can't go back to their place of origin anymore due to their health condition.
Mental health issues
One factor that people use drugs is depression or mental health issues. It is usually caused by personal traumatic experiences such as losing loved ones, betraying, losing partners or divorcing, losing their job, and more. They choose to use drugs to escape their reality.
Drugs release Dopamine chemicals, happy hormones in the brain. Once a person frequently uses drugs, it alters the brain functions and they'll get used to happy hormones, causing them to crave more..or what we call addiction. This is why people in Kensington keep using drugs for them to forget their problems.
Abandoned by their families or disowned
Some of the people in Kensington are abandoned by their families or are disowned due to their condition. One of the US cultures is “independency” when their children reach 18, they'll have to separate from their parents. This maybe causes adolescent people to lack parental guidance.
Some people there are interviewed and said their family disowned them, so they have nowhere to stay but on the street of Kensington.
Stayed in Kensington for drug supply
Some people in Kensington are hopelessly addicted to drugs. There they sell drugs legally, so some addicts from other states just went there to have the freedom on taking drugs.
A common drug found in Kensington is Xylazine, a sedative drug for muscle relaxants or tranquilizers, it is not approved for human use as it is a veterinary medicine for animals.
Also fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. It is used for pain medication, when it is mixed with other drugs it can act as anesthetic medicine. It is also used in recreational drugs illicitly and is mixed with heroin, cocaine methamphetamine, or benzodiazepines.
It is sold in Kensington without restrictions that's why some people from other states just stayed there.
Closing Remarks
Most of the “Third world” countries' problem is poverty. But seeing those people looking like a zombie, they are suffering more than poverty. In third-world countries, especially ours, I didn't see this thing. But the US has a larger population than those third-world countries, the more you see people the more addict people you see.
According to some, Kensington is just a very tiny part of the US state.. and they are offered to undergo rehabilitation but most of them are reluctant and choose their addiction. Some even went to rehab but after a while, they went back to Kensington.
The streets are very messy and dirty as well, and most of the businesses shut down maybe due to security reasons. In there gunshots are normal. Who would like to do business when all the people around are high? That's scary!
I hope those people in there find the courage to get their way back. Some of them are still young, they still have a future ahead if they choose to let go of their addiction. Especially those women, I pity looking at them why they ended up in that state. It's saddening, looking at them it's like watching a car crash in slow motion.
As much as I would like to attach photos, I am not sure if some readers will like them. You can follow the link above or search on Google about it and see photos or videos. Some of the Kensington people are in very disturbing condition.. that is why I don't want to attach photos.
I just wonder why I didn't see this kind of news. Maybe the media does not want to expose it. Why did their government allow this? Some even said the US keeps donating billions to Russia and Ukraine war but neglecting to help their people.. hmmm, no comment.
Drug addiction is terrible, once you taste it.. you'll suck! This is why we should avoid drugs at all costs no matter what we are going through. Once you use it, it's like you're digging your own grave.
No you are not late, and also it said be late but not too late. Anyways that is very interesting blog. I didn't know about this place or a place where drugs are sold legally.