The video that lays bare America's heroin epidemic: Laughing crowd gathers to WATCH as married drug addicts slowly lose consciousness in the street after overdose

  • Carla Hiers and her partner collapsed in the street after taking heroin
  • They had both apparently snorted the drug in bathroom of a Walgreens  
  • She fell to her knees on the sidewalk , while he was flopped on a bench
  • Paramedics arrived to find the crowd with their cell phones out, recording 
  • A crowd gathered and Courtland Garner filmed them on Facebook Live 
  • He admitted: 'It made me laugh' but said he hoped it put youths off drugs

By Chris Summers For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:09 EST, 5 October 2016 | Updated: 04:18 EST, 7 October 2016

Shocking footage has emerged of bystanders laughing at a married couple as they fall unconscious after overdosing on heroin.

The concerning video of the pair, taken in broad daylight in Memphis, Tennessee, was posted on Facebook Live by Courtland Garner on Monday and quickly went viral. 

It shows the husband and wife writhing on the floor after snorting the drug in the bathroom of a nearby Walgreens - while the crowd stands back and does nothing.  

Paramedics eventually arrived on the scene and revived Carla Hiers, 59, and her partner, who are both long-time drug addicts. 

The video is yet another example of America's heroin epidemic, that is spiraling out of control.

A crowd can be heard standing around and laughing in shocking footage that has emerged of bystanders laughing at a couple falling unconscious in Memphis after overdosing on heroin

A crowd can be heard standing around and laughing in shocking footage that has emerged of bystanders laughing at a couple falling unconscious in Memphis after overdosing on heroin

Hiers, who also goes by the name Carla High, is seen collapsed on her knees on the sidewalk while her partner is seen flopped on his back on a bench.

At one point someone is heard on camera saying: 'This fella might be dead...I hope he's not dead' and someone replies: 'He's got a pulse.' 

Others are heard joking: 'That's some good s*** they been smoking.' 

Hiers was taken into custody as there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

She was booked into Shelby County Jail on a $200 bond. Online records show she has been behind bars a number of times facing charges including theft, drug possession and fraud. 

Mr Garner posted on Facebook: 'They out here f***ed up.' 

He told the local WREG news: 'What they were doing was children's things. It was a spectacle. It made me laugh. They can't help themselves.'

One of the drug-users, identified by paramedics as a long-time addict, is seen flopped over on a bench 

One of the drug-users, identified by paramedics as a long-time addict, is seen flopped over on a bench 

Paramedics eventually arrived on the scene and revived Carla Hiers, 59, (pictured) and her partner, who has not been identified 

Paramedics eventually arrived on the scene and revived Carla Hiers, 59, (pictured) and her partner, who has not been identified 

Hiers was taken into custody as there was a warrant for her arrest. She was booked into Shelby County Jail on a $200 bond
Another mugshot shows her after a different arrest in June

Hiers was taken into custody as there was a warrant for her arrest. She was booked into Shelby County Jail on a $200 bond (mugshot left). Another mugshot (right) shows her after a different arrest in June 

Although he is laughing on the film, he said there was a serious point and he believed it would help to discourage some youngsters from using drugs.

'I know for a fact all the kids are on social media, and when kids see that video, you know what they are going to say? I don't want to look stupid like that I don't want to do those drugs,' he said. 

But Krista Sheridan commented on the video: 'I dont care what color, religion, economic status you are you deserve to be treated with common decency.....smh I doesnt matter if drugs cause this or not no deserves to be laughed at and treated like that.' 

Karen Morgan, from the drug charity Turning Point Recovery Memphis, said the city and its suburbs were seeing rises in heroin overdoses.

She said: 'People tend to think they've done it to themselves. Well no they haven't. Their brains have been changed by the use of the chemicals.'

There was a warrant out for Hiers' arrest so she was taken into custody but it is not clear what happened to her partner after he regained consciousness.

Courtland Garner (pictured), who uploaded the video, admitted he thought it was funny but he said young people see the video they will think: 'I don't want to look stupid like that, I don't want to do those drugs'

Courtland Garner (pictured), who uploaded the video, admitted he thought it was funny but he said young people see the video they will think: 'I don't want to look stupid like that, I don't want to do those drugs'

If you or your loved one is struggling form addiction, call Turning Point Recovery 24/7 hotline 888-512-3321.

You can also read about the center at Turningpointtreatment.org.

 

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