Philadelphia's drug market remains 'worse' despite city clearing efforts, says former addict.

Numerous new police officers are being deployed in Philadelphia's most notorious district, vowing to intensify efforts against drug trafficking, prostitution, and other criminal activities.

One man who used to deal and use drugs in the area fears the effort won't persist.

"Frank Rodriguez stated that they were merely relocating the trash from the front of the house to the side, rather than addressing the fundamental problems."

In 2022, 1,413 people died from drug overdoses in Philadelphia, a 11% increase from the previous year, with the Kensington neighborhood being the epicenter of the city's opioid crisis and one of the first areas in the country to be hit by fentanyl.

Rodriguez, who relocated to Kensington as a child, began selling marijuana as a teenager. Following his mother's death in a car accident in 2004, he became addicted to drugs and continued using them until 2016.

He owns a barbershop in Milton, Pennsylvania, but goes back to Kensington to offer free haircuts and film testimonials from struggling drug addicts in an attempt to humanize them.

Kensington was described as a "predator's playground," with addiction, mental health issues, and a level of suffering and dehumanization that is unmatched in other cities.

"Rodriguez told Planet Chronicle Digital that being emotionally affected was inevitable when walking or looking around in the area, as one would encounter rotting flesh and people with missing limbs."

The recent mayoral race's pillar was cleaning up the neighborhood, which has been frustrating locals for years due to failed efforts to control lawlessness and tent encampments. Democrat Cherelle Parker proposed bringing in the National Guard to assist last fall.

Despite the absence of troops, Parker's administration has taken several actions, including appointing the first Kensington drug czar, implementing a curfew for businesses without liquor licenses in a specific area, and sending police to clear a major homeless encampment, as reported by local media.

Last month, 75 new police officers were sworn in and assigned to patrol Kensington.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated at a press conference before the graduation that we will go down there with a more forward posture and make arrests, and he will not make any excuses for this.

Rodriguez stated that he has observed an increase in police presence since Parker assumed office in January, but the issue has deteriorated.

He stated that they were not managing a small group of individuals, but rather a large number of people.

Rodriguez added that he worries Kensington will be a rough beat for rookies.

"He stated that he believed the location was not suitable for new officers, and that even many of the seasoned and experienced cops lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the current situation."

Parker, who replaced two-term Mayor Jim Kenney, adopted a tougher stance on crime and supported stop-and-frisk, a tactic that Kenney had pledged to abolish in Philadelphia. As a city councilor, Parker had opposed Kenney's plan to establish supervised injection sites.

"Rodriguez stated, "I would prefer to see flowers and children playing instead of needles on the floor. I hope and pray, but if I'm being realistic, Kensington's summer will be very bad.""

Click here to hear more from Rodriguez.