Amsterdam sees rise in visible crack use, from Noorderpark to city center
Crack cocaine use is increasingly visible across Amsterdam, with daily reports of public drug use, theft, intimidation, and nuisance in multiple neighborhoods, including Amsterdam-Noord and Nieuw-West, according to findings reported by Het Parool.
According to welfare organization PerMens, the largest growth in crack addiction is now in the city center, particularly around the Zeedijk, Geldersekade, and Koepelkwartier.
In Noorderpark in Amsterdam-Noord, residents say large groups openly use and deal crack. Local resident Richard Kenter said groups of up to 50 people gather to smoke crack, adding that drug use, dealing, and sex work occur in the park.
Drug paraphernalia, including silver foil used to heat crack and condom wrappers, was found near benches, stairways, and bushes. Under the Johan van Hasseltweg bridge, users were seen smoking crack, often combined with alcohol and heroin.
In Amsterdam-West, drug use is reportedly concentrated around the homeless night shelter on the Transformatorweg and under the Wiltzanghlaan viaduct near the A10. According to Het Parool, the area beneath the viaduct is littered with silver foil, syringes, and lighters, and workers report regularly chasing users away.
In Amsterdam-Oost, overlast continues around the Oosterpark. A supervised drug-use bus placed on ’s-Gravesandeplein near the OLVG hospital allows registered users to consume drugs and receive food and clean clothing. Research shows 90 percent of visitors use crack. Het Parool noted that since the bus opened, more complaints have been filed about public aggression and drug use.
In Nieuw-West, the Delflandplein area reportedly faces persistent problems. Shop workers and outreach staff report frequent begging, theft, and open drug use. Employees from Startpunt Nieuw-West said users are repeatedly sent away but return quickly.
A similar nuisance is reported at the Dijkgraafplein in Osdorp, where parents say drug paraphernalia is regularly found near the primary school De Punt. Shop staff report men openly using drugs in the street.
Emeritus addiction professor Wim van den Brink of Amsterdam UMC told Het Parool that crack causes more public disorder than heroin because of its stimulating effect. Users typically consume one to three grams per day, costing 100 to 150 euros.
The municipality is studying whether medically prescribed crack could reduce nuisance. A decision on a pilot is expected by mid-next year.
