'Tranq Tourism': Social Media Influencers Criticized for Exploiting Philadelphia Drug Users

Videos, often monetized, mock and dehumanize users of the dangerous horse tranquilizer 'tranq', sparking calls for content creators to invest in community support instead.

TikTokers and YouTubers are being criticized for filming and mocking drug users in Philadelphia's low-income neighborhood of Kensington, a trend known as 'tranq tourism'.
'Tranq' is the nickname for xylazine, a horse tranquilizer that can cause difficulty in standing upright and flesh-eating wounds. It is extremely inexpensive and can be bought online from China for as little as $6 per kilogram.
The videos often exploit the drug users, asking them personal questions and making them look like 'animals in a zoo'. The videos are then monetized, with some content creators admitting they are doing it mostly for the money.
Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, a nonprofit supporting those affected by substance abuse, estimates there are now 'over 150 channels dedicated to Kensington and all the things that take place here'.
Opponents argue that the content creators should be funneling their money back into the community, providing resources and assistance instead of exploiting the situation.