Addiction
Around midnight, the central squares of Athens overflow with drug users.
Major distribution spots, such as the squares of Omonia, Vathi, and Klavthmonos, resemble scenes from George Romero’s cult film, “Living Dead”. Teenagers wander aimlessly, begging for money and looking for a dealer that can provide them with a hit of heroin or strong tranquilizers.
Some of the pictured users will not be alive after a few months. The more lucky ones (a small minority) will have entered a detox program. The return route from the dark world of substance abuse is filled with obstacles and some don’t even want to return.
Around 300 persons die annually in Greece from overdose or bad heroin. 65% of the deaths occur in Athens, while the total number of users is estimated to be 60.000.
Text: © Giorgos Xepapadakos
Photographs: © Maro Kouri
