Kensington Ave. Philadelphia  PA

Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia stands as a stark symbol of the devastating impact of the drug epidemic, particularly the rampant addiction to opioids such as heroin and fentanyl within urban communities. Once a vibrant industrial center, Kensington now grapples with the overwhelming presence of addiction, with its streets marked by open-air drug markets and scenes of desperation that have garnered national attention, shedding light on the profound human toll of substance abuse.

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In August of 2022, I embarked on a journey to Kensington and Allegany Avenues to witness firsthand the reality of this epidemic. Over a span of two days, I captured the essence of the area using a Deardorff 8x10 view camera. Through my lens, I aimed to portray, in an intimate and respectful manner, the devastating effects of the fentanyl and opioid crisis—a crisis that claims the lives of over 100,000 Americans annually.