A Tongan witness in New York City was left shocked after encountering what appeared to be victims of the so-called “zombie drug” lying motionless and uncontrollably drowsy outside Moynihan Train Hall.
Simaima Sekona, who livestreamed the disturbing scene, told Kaniva News she prayed such a drug epidemic would never reach Tonga.
The term “zombie drug” refers to a dangerous class of synthetic drugs, including substances like xylazine, a powerful sedative often mixed with opioids, which leaves users in a trance-like, lifeless state.
The U.S. and other nations are increasingly alarmed by the rise of these drugs, which cause severe physical and mental deterioration.
Sekona described seeing multiple individuals slumped on the steps of the train hall, barely responsive, and seemingly under the influence of the drug.
“It was heartbreaking and frightening,” she said.
“I hope Tonga never has to face this kind of tragedy.”
While Tonga is currently battling its own illicit drug crisis, authorities have not yet reported cases of the “zombie drug” in the kingdom.
As Kaniva News recently reported, methamphetamine, cannabis, and other illicit drugs are now infiltrating families in Tonga and being sold near school zones, putting youth at risk.
The global spread of the zombie drug has raised concerns among nations in the Pacific about the potential for new and more dangerous drugs entering the region.
In 2020, the NZ Herald reported that a deadly drug known for inducing zombie-like behaviour, and linked to more than 70 deaths in New Zealand, had resurfaced in the community, putting authorities on high alert. The substance is “ultra-potent” and 85 times stronger than cannabis.
In 2015, it caused scores of users to exhibit “zombie-like” symptoms, including extreme lethargy and disorientation.
As international awareness grows, witnesses like Sekona are urging their home countries to remain vigilant against the threat.
