Drug use continues to increase in Helsinki

Measures taken by the City of Helsinki and the police have calmed the disturbances caused by drugs.

Drug-related harms have increased on the streets of Helsinki in recent years. The reason is the strong growth in drug use in Finland throughout the 2000s. The disturbances on the streets are mainly related to drug use and associated crime.

'Ninety per cent of Helsinki residents feel safe on average. However, the link between drug-related observations and perceptions of insecurity has strengthened according to the Helsinki safety survey.

Drug addiction is a serious health problem. It causes significant harm to individuals, their loved ones and society as a whole. Addiction places a burden on specialised healthcare, substance abuse services, child protection, emergency medical services, the police and the judicial system.

The City of Helsinki has improved access to drug detoxification. The city is also drawing up a new substance abuse strategy. Helsinki Police Department considers these measures important.

Seizures have increased – use of all the most common drugs is growing

Drug seizures have increased significantly in Finland in recent years. Seizures are one measure for assessing the growth of drug use. Finnish Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation and other police departments have made significant seizures.

Helsinki Police Department has already seized 4.6 kilograms of alpha-PVP this year by the end of May. That is more than in the whole of last year combined. According to statistics, alpha-PVP has not displaced amphetamine. Instead, the use of all drugs is increasing.

– Only organised crime benefits from the growth of drug use. Cannabis remains the most popular drug by volume in Helsinki. Cocaine accounts for a significant share of drug use in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The police are very concerned about the increase in drug use across all social classes. The involvement of young people in serious drug offences is particularly worrying, says Detective Superintendent Kimmo Sainio.

Drugs seized by Helsinki Police Department 2020–2025 (kg)

All drugs refers to all substances submitted for drug analysis from Helsinki Police Department to the National Bureau of Investigation's Crime Laboratory.

Helsinki police respond to emergencies faster than ever

Call the emergency number 112 in an emergency. Through the emergency number, you can receive assistance from the police, emergency medical services or the rescue services. Emergencies include, for example, assaults, drug dealing and dangerous or disorderly behaviour.

Non-urgent tips can be sent to vihjeet.helsinki@poliisi.fi. Tips may concern drug dealing or other criminal activity that endangers safety on the streets.

Helsinki Police Department has significantly increased visible and regionally targeted surveillance. The reason is the disturbances caused by drug use. The police select surveillance targets on the basis of alarm assignments and crime reports. Feedback from citizens and stakeholders is also taken into account.

– The most important surveillance areas during the summer are Kluuvi, Kallio, Kamppi, Itäkeskus and Kontula. These areas have a high number of disturbance- and substance-related assignments. The assignments are concentrated in public spaces, public transport hubs and recreational areas, says Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen.

Increased surveillance at disturbance hotspots improves safety in the areas and perceptions of safety. Helsinki police respond to emergencies faster than ever before. The reduced response time is the result of increased visible surveillance in areas prone to disturbances. Surveillance also speeds up the investigation of crimes that have already been committed.

– Public order patrols on foot have increased by 17 per cent in Helsinki compared to the beginning of last year. We direct surveillance to areas with the most disturbances and alarm assignments. We prevent some disturbances through visible presence. We are also faster to respond to alarm assignments, Kiiskinen continues.

Port surveillance and deportation stepped up

Helsinki Police Department has stepped up crime-based deportation. In a typical case, a foreign national has committed an offence such as drug dealing in Helsinki. On this basis, the person is removed from the country.

The police have also stepped up refusals of entry at ports. Refusal of entry concerns persons who are suspected on reasonable grounds of posing an immediate threat to public order and safety. Refusal of entry is possible, for example, when a person is suspected of seeking to enter the country solely to commit offences.

– A typical example is a person who has committed pickpocketing or violent offences elsewhere in Europe. The person attempts to enter Finland but is unable to give a credible reason for entry. In connection with deportation, the person may also be issued with an entry ban, says Chief Inspector Simo Kauppinen.

Further information

• Alpha-PVP use slightly reduced – City to launch new pilots to continue to reduce drug-related harm | City of Helsinki