TIFA 2023 Editorial / Environmental

The Fear Is Present

  • Prize
    Gold in Editorial/Environmental
  • Photographer
    John T. Pedersen
  • Agency / Studio
    Freelancer
  • Technical Info
    Leica Q2 28 Mm Summilux 1.7 Asph
  • Photo Date
    25.11.22

Torbjørn Jønsberg (39) has been part of Oslo's drug scene since he was a teenager. At home in his, a chaotic mix of writing on the walls, food packaging, art objects and old papers, Torbjørn is about to «shooting up» in the cold afternoon light from the window. No one knows the source of the highly potent and life-threatening drug that has led to several overdoses. Nor is there anything Oslo's addicts can do to discover the substance. The substance is called Protonitazen, a highly potent synthetic opioid - 300 times stronger than heroine.

John T. Pedersen (1966) is an independent photojournalist based in Norway, with a particular focus on humanitarian issues. I have worked for a number of newspapers, trade press, magazines and agencies. Affiliated with the national newspaper Dagbladet in Oslo. https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2019/37713/1/John-T-Pedersen