Photographer Reveals the Dark Side of Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia

Petra has a very strong point. Lack of familiar or formal education tend to lead to a "weak" character and to complicate things (the lack of support through) hard phases of life (including public support) may also set the vulnerable context in which abuse of whatever thing takes place. Traumatic externalities such as accidents, jobloss, depression, burn out, family issues, abandonment, and so on. Statistically the great majority of mankind does or has done drugs, "asocial" addiction is not a rule. I see drugs as a social "crutch", this way it can constructively seen like more of a public health and a social issue, i.e. a social rather than an individual problem. Finally, what matters is that the solution to such problems rarely come without some sort of social support and social reintegration, the latter plays a determinant role in patterns recurring drug abuse. FYI fat, sex and sugar can lead to addiction as well.

Actually, there is no one reason people become addicted, and it IS a public health concern. Addiction can happen for a number of reasons & it's different for everyone. And, my Chemical Dependency degree is from American River College, It's Caturday 3.0. It's the best psychology program in the country, used as a template for many other schools across America.

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I disagree .. drug abuse is mostly just a consequence, not a cause imho.

Nancy, while frederic below made me see your comment in a more positive light, it still really rubbed me the wrong way. Your comment implies that she isn’t fighting hard enough. If someone told my sick grandmother to “fight harder” I might just slap them. People in the throes of pain and mental illness ARE doing the best they can. Some days, just staying alive is the best you can do- trust me on this. Maybe try “keep fighting” or “Don’t give up” in your next comment. Don’t imply that the person isn’t trying hard enough-tell them that you will support them, instead.

I wanted to let you know that I liked all of your other comments and I know you mean well. I’m sorry if I overreacted. I can be very sensitive to even the slightest perceived criticism.

I have skills as well. Skills don't matter when your boss finds out through the grapevine that you're a former IV drug user.

That's easier said than done

hey nancy you gunna help or link help or just give orders and vague advice?

Aunt Messy

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Well, aren't we judgmental! In the US, one of the leading causes of homelessness is medical bills. If you can't pay, they don't care whether you live or die. It could easily be YOU out there, so cut it out with the snotty comments and try to jump start your brain. I know it's hard.

Stop telling people to fight harder you've no idea what she's going through, I've seen a few of your comments and you're pathetic and I can guarantee you're far from perfect even though you pretend to be

amen sister. i about threw up reading Black Dahlia's comments.

Thank you, Desiree for saying it much more thoughtfully than I would've. I was just gonna say, "Wow, that Black Dahlia is one heartless b***h".

Brilliantly said....I’ll be 6 years sober and my hell was devastating, never got to the point as these young ladies. It was still a hell my hell. Thank you for your comment. 👏

Very well said Desiree,i wonder how these girls r now,hopefully still alive.x

You're a nice person Desiree. Glad to see people like you <3 Have a cheerful 2018!

Well said. I have read Black Dahlias comments on other posts and they are a disgusting person. I've decided to give up trying to argue with them and just report their comments because you just can't argue with stupid!

Whats up with nancys comments? I think they are very good!

Amen........

Amen

It's ok Desiree. Haters will be taught to think differently through a life lesson. Karma always gets people like this. Haters and c**p talkers beware because you will get yours.

Instead of judging, why don't more folks step up, take a chance on a life worth saving even if it inconveniences your own life a bit. Find them. Offer them a chance for a new life, a safe place to sleep. Get them off the street.

Desiree ur one hundred %correct those names u just mentioned people like them who look down on the less Fortunate she be ashamed of themselves in a drop of a hat those 3 people included I struggled for years with addiction and depression mental issues looked down upon by family and friends not funny to be judged like that by someone that doesn't even know u or know a damn thing about u or what happened in there lives that got them to this point in there lives and I am an drug Addict I can admit that and I will to anyone that ask me because I had to admit to myself first because I believe if u can't admit it to urself u will never get help u think drugs r fun wen u fist doing them but there not they leave u with lonely and depressed God bless all those young girls and men alot of them r from bucks County where I live there parents should be ashamed of them selves for abandoning your children tuff love is not an answer or a cure and the government we r working

My brother was an addict for many years. The neighborhood I grew up, the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY is full of addicts. I don't laugh at them but I also don't pity them. The minute you put that needle in your arm, or smoke that pipe full of heroin or crack, you made a choice to be an addict. The fact that I saw the horrors of drug abuse first hand is why I would never in a million years touch any drugs. They made dumb, reckless choices and now they are paying the price.

Nancy is disgusting with her comments should be ashamed of herself

Way to go Desiree.. I'm in recovery and thank God I was never homeless. Thank is only God's grace. These people don't realize there is a way up and out. Their drink/drug comes first.. Wish I could help them all

Well spoken summer

I totally agree I know I've been there!

Many people lack empathy and understanding. The sad thing is that they don't even recognize it in themselves.

I couldn't agree with you more. I've lost family to addiction. I sincerely hope these people find better lives. ☹

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*breathe -needs an 'e'. I have compassion to a point. If a person tries to help him/herself by trying to stop abusing drugs, I agree, try to help them. But trying heroin... does anyone actually know more than one person who can use it recreationally? Most people get addicted and it ruins their lives. No one NEEDS to try it. So it's a choice. Once a person gets into the grips of addiction, you aren't dealing with a rational person... Just don't use heroin. It's no joke. If you don't start, you don't worry about how to stop.

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Leave Nancy alone, she just lost her husband this past year. You never know what someone else has going on in their life, so maybe think about THAT next time you want to unleash your sanctimony on someone.

Amen. I have never been through an addiction to drugs or alcohol, but I know the science behind an addiction and the affects it has on a person's life. It is unbelievably ignorant and insensitive for people who have no idea what it's like to make jokes or insults about an addiction, or say that it isn't really a disease or disorder. It's also extremely stupid for anyone to say they should just stop, because as you said in your other comment, it's nowhere near that easy. That's like telling someone with depression they should just stop being depressed. You cannot just wave a magic wand and watch your addiction to drugs or alcohol disappear, as is true with any disease or disorder. It's not like people want an addiction, so why do people act as if that's how it works? Why do people think they always see advertisements for treatments for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol? Because it's a real problem! A real problem that tears families apart, kills countless people, and destroys

Who is this comment aimed at?

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Then you might want to reply to her, rather than be passive aggressive, no?

Pat left his one Daughtry long before his addiction wad this bad. .he's a coward, not brave, n I'm an addict of 17yrs, clean for 6..n yes I know him personally. .he's a effing coward!

is this your niece?

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She's your niece?

Not in Kensington.