Philadelphia, PA

The Damage Done: The Unwanted

On the streets of Philadelphia, VOA Journalists Chris Simkins and Jeff Swicord followed opioid addicts over the course of a year as the city’s most drug-infested neighborhood struggled to contain a disastrous and deadly epidemic.

“The Unwanted” is one of three such stories Swicord and Simkins reported in 2018 and 2019 to document the epidemic. Their complete series, “The Damage Done: Living America’s Opioid Nightmare,” also follows addicts, police, volunteer health care workers and community leaders in Miami and Nashville, N.C., caught in the thick of the tragedy.

More videos

The Unwanted | Episode 5

Eric stumbles back onto the street, while Kelly struggles on methadone. With addicts evicted from under all Kensington's bridges, Britt reflects on the neighborhood's future.

The Unwanted | Episode 4

After wavering for months, Kelly takes a huge step into housing while the mayor defends forced evacuations of homeless addicts in Kensington.

The Unwanted | Episode 3

Overdoses skyrocket in the aftermath of Kensington’s mass evictions. Meantime, Eric emerges from rehab transformed.