Amsterdam Considers Legal Crack Distribution to Reduce Crime and Harm
City of Amsterdam Explores Controlled Crack Supply to Curb Public Nuisance
Amsterdam’s city government is considering a pilot program that could make crack cocaine legally available under controlled conditions. More than €100,000 has been set aside to study whether supervised distribution might reduce public disturbances, health risks, and criminal activity linked to street dealing.
Officials point out that crack’s fast but short-lived effects often push users to consume repeatedly, driving dependency and risky behaviors. By shifting supply from street dealers to a medical or supervised setting, authorities believe they could limit exposure to harmful adulterants, while also creating more opportunities to connect users with treatment and social support.
Addiction expert Wim van den Brink, who is leading the study, noted that crack use has been rising in the Netherlands, especially among unhoused populations. Local governments say they are seeing the impact firsthand and are searching for effective interventions.
The idea is modeled partly on past Dutch experiments. In the 1990s, the Netherlands introduced medical heroin distribution pilots, which later showed reductions in crime, public nuisance, and overdose deaths. Lawmakers and health professionals are now asking whether a similar framework could work for crack cocaine.
Some long-term users have expressed cautious support. They argue that street-bought crack is often contaminated and unpredictable, whereas a regulated program would at least provide transparency and safer consumption. Advocates also emphasize that this system could serve as a gateway for outreach, linking people to housing, counseling, and healthcare services.
The proposal remains at an early stage, and key details—such as legal approval, program structure, and medical oversight—have not yet been finalized. Amsterdam officials say decisions will depend on the findings of the upcoming study.