Philly’s Dark Problem. Ever heard of “tranq tourism”? It’s becoming a thing, but it’s not the vacation you’re thinking of. Picture this: people flocking to Philly’s Kensington neighborhood to film folks struggling with substance abuse, often in a state where they can’t even agree to being filmed. It’s not just a few folks doing this; we’re talking over 150 channels dedicated to showcasing what’s going down in this area. Not cool, right?

The Deal with “Tranq” and the Drama

Kensington’s hit hard by a sedative known as “tranq” or “xylazine.” This stuff’s supposed to be for animals, not people. Thing is, it’s ending up in the wrong hands, mixed in with other heavy-duty drugs like fentanyl. This combo? Deadly.

The Voyeuristic Side of Social Media

Philly’s Dark Problem. But wait, it gets worse. There’s this trend where these users—often in bad shape—are filmed and prodded with questions, all for the ‘gram or TikTok. Some of these videos get millions of eyeballs. They don’t blur faces or care if these people can even agree to being filmed. They’re labeled as “zombies” or “junkies” and it’s like watching animals at a zoo. Not exactly the heartfelt, help-needed vibe.

The Ugly Truth: Exploitation for Bucks

Creators claim they’re doing this to spread awareness or help. Sure, some might genuinely think they’re shining a light on what’s going down in Kensington, but truth be told, a lot of it is just for the cash. Philadelphia. They’re making bank off these videos while the people they’re filming? They get peanuts, like five bucks for being exploited on camera.

Where’s the Humanity?

The worst part? These folks aren’t in the right state of mind to consent or participate in these clips. It’s dehumanizing, plain and simple. Dr. Utter, who knows Kensington well, says it’s all exploitative, with people from across the globe coming in to shove cameras in these folks’ faces. Not cool at all.

Justify It All You Want, It’s Not Helping

Creators often say they’re trying to help or raise awareness. Some might genuinely believe this is the way to support or shed light on what’s happening. But when it comes down to it, most of them, like Mr. Work from Kensington Daily, admit it’s about the money, not the help.

Ethics in Filming: Is There a Way?

There’s a small group that thinks there’s a right way to do this—by giving back to the community. Jeff from “Jeff’s High on Life” thinks it’s doable, as long as you put the money back into helping those you’re filming. He’s putting his earnings into supplies and care, but he’s heard of others who set up donation pages that don’t benefit the addicts at all.

It’s Time to Step Up

Bottom line? It’s not enough to just show up with a camera. If you’re gonna do this, bring resources, help out, and listen to what the community needs. These videos might get views, but they aren’t helping those in the spotlight. They’re just cashing in on their struggles.

Wrapping Up: Do Better

So, if you’re out there thinking of doing the “tranq tourism” thing, consider this: you’ve got a chance to make a real difference. Instead of exploiting folks for views, why not make it about giving back and actually helping? That’s the kind of content we need more of.