During a recent trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, YouTuber Nick Johnson, known for exploring the most dangerous and rundown areas in the U.S., was left speechless by what he saw in one of the city’s worst neighborhoods.
With over 1.1 million subscribers, Johnson’s content often takes viewers to places many might avoid.
But his latest visit to the International District, a notorious area locals call “The War Zone,” shocked even him.
The Devastating Reality of Albuquerque’s International District
As Johnson wandered through the International District, he encountered a scene of despair.
Homeless encampments, drug use in the open, and gangs loitering on every corner filled the streets.
“Oh my god, oh my god,” Johnson repeated in disbelief as he filmed the chaos around him.
The district’s decline stands in stark contrast to the stunning natural beauty that New Mexico is known for, including the famous White Sands National Park.
Albuquerque, the largest city in the state, has become a tragic example of urban decay.
While places like Santa Fe thrive with their charming architecture and picturesque scenery, Albuquerque struggles with the fallout from the fentanyl crisis, as drug trafficking floods the area from the nearby Mexican border.
A Shift in Homelessness and Drug Abuse
Johnson points to a troubling trend: as cities like Los Angeles and Austin face growing issues with homelessness, many people are moving to Albuquerque in search of better opportunities or simply a place to survive.
“It’s an untapped market,” he explained, noting that the warmer climate and lower levels of competition make the city a haven for the homeless population.
When Johnson spoke to locals about the situation, one resident, Sam Elliot, expressed frustration with how little the city officials seemed to care.
“It’s kind of like population control… out of sight, out of mind,” Elliot said. “Why go stir it up? For what?”
Despite the dire conditions, Johnson was told that almost everyone in the International District owns a gun, with Elliot adding, “If you don’t have one, you’re crazy.”
A Wake-Up Call for the Next Generation
Reflecting on his experience, Johnson shared his hope that his video could serve as a warning for young people in New Mexico.
“You can’t save any of the people I witnessed on the streets of Albuquerque,” he admitted, “but hopefully every kid growing up in New Mexico watches this video and it scares them into never wanting to live their lives like that.”
He even suggested that his video should be required viewing for high school students.
State Senator Nicole Tobiassen also shared her own memories of the International District, recalling a terrifying experience when she helped a friend move into an apartment there a few years ago.
“There were drugged-out people walking in the middle of the street with shopping carts… people urinating and defecating in the street.
It was already bad then, but it’s worse now,” she said.
Albuquerque: A Hub for the Drug Trade
Johnson further explained that Albuquerque’s location, near the Mexican border and intersected by major highways like Interstates 25 and 40, has made it a central hub for drug distribution.
“They come here and cut the drugs, split it up, bag it up, and then distribute it off to the rest of the country,” he said.
This booming drug trade has wreaked havoc on the city, contributing to the rise in homelessness and the overall decay of the neighborhood.
The drugs that plague Albuquerque have spread across the nation, contributing to a widespread homelessness crisis and leaving communities in turmoil. Unfortunately, the city’s struggles reflect a much larger issue affecting cities across the U.S.