
An Indian village of head-hunters close to the dangerous Myanmar border is battling long-term opium addiction.

Almost a third of residents in Longwa smoke the drug, with many having to sell their belongings to fund their expensive habit.

Australian photographer Raphael Korman travelled to the village after hearing tales of head-hunting - practiced there until the late 1960s - but instead saw the scars of lifelong drug addiction.

Addiction: Almost a third of residents in Longwa smoke opium and many have to sell their belongings to fund their expensive habit

Effects: Village chief Tonyei Phawang, pictured here with his caretakers, is a habitual opium smoker and leads a sedentary existence

Head-hunting was practiced in Longwa, a village on the Myanmar border where many residents are addicted to opium, until the late 1960s

The addiction has disrupted family life and values. Children are often left without their fathers for hours on end while they smoke opium

Opium was originally introduced by British colonialists in the 1940s and the drug has remained ever-present in the small village of Longwa - located in a dangerous area where there is fighting between the Indian government and various guerrilla groups.

Village life and its social and political structures have been corroded by decades of substance abuse.

It is said 30 per cent of residents are addicted to the drug, down from 90 per cent in recent years, but Korman's pictures show the damage it has done.

The addiction has disrupted family life and values - children are often left without their fathers for hours on end while they smoke opium.

Improvement: Although the opium addiction rate has gone down in recent years, it is thought that the habit will never be eradicated

Sacrifice: Takching has been smoking opium for 30 years. The drug costs him up to $20 a day, and he's sold his possessions to pay for it

The village chief and his caretakers smoke opium from morning until night. They are among 30 per cent of villagers addicted to the drug

Photographer Raphael Korman travelled to the village after hearing tales of head-hunting, but instead saw the scars of drug addiction

Women have avoided the habit, but have to spend long hours in the rice and vegetable fields, so children cannot spend time with them either.

Raphael spent time with Tonyei Phawang, the village chief. Once, the role of a village chief would have been highly important, however Chief Phawang's life is reduced to an all-day opium habit.

While the Indian government is taking steps to eradicate the problem, opium is readily available through Myanmar - the second largest opium producer in the world.

The addiction has disrupted family life and values - children are often left without their fathers for hours on end while they smoke opium

Raphael Korman travelled to the village after hearing tales of head-hunting, which was practiced in Longwa up until the late 1960s