The Growing Drug Problem in Brussels

Brussels is facing a deepening crisis related to drug trafficking, consumption, and associated violence. With €1.2 billion spent on illegal drugs in Belgium in 2023 (according to the National Bank of Belgium, consumption levels are nearly double previous estimates. Wastewater analyses have placed Brussels among the highest-ranking cities in Europe for cocaine use as reported by the Brussels Times, with an increasing epidemic of crack cocaine affecting marginalized populations.

The situation has become more dangerous and visible, with incidents such as shootings in metro stations involving assault rifles, reinforcing public fears and concerns about law enforcement’s ability to handle the crisis. Despite federal efforts to strengthen police forces and unify Brussels’ fragmented security zones, the regional response has been perceived as inadequate and reactive, leaving both citizens and policymakers frustrated.

Law Enforcement’s Struggles and the Need for Reform

The Regional Security Council (RSC) recently met to discuss the escalation of drug-related violence, but the outcome left much to be desired. Rather than announcing decisive new strategies, the Brussels leadership merely extended the hotspot strategy, a plan implemented after a similar wave of shootings in 2024. This plan involves increased police presence, targeted legal actions, identity checks, and neighborhood improvement projects.

However, this approach has shown limited success. Anderlecht’s mayor, Fabrice Cumps, admitted that police harassment of drug dealers serves little more than a symbolic purpose. Meanwhile, Brussels’ Minister-President Rudi Vervoort’s comment that residents will “just have to live with it” reflects an alarming lack of urgency.

While law enforcement remains crucial in tackling organized crime, it is not enough on its own. The lack of coordination among the six separate police zones, along with political disagreements between francophone and Flemish nationalist parties, has further hindered effective policing and security policy in Brussels.

The Case for an Integrated Approach: Suppressing Supply While Reducing Demand

To address this crisis effectively, a dual approach is needed:

1. Enhanced Law Enforcement Measures to target the supply side of drug trafficking.
2. Long-Term Public Health and Prevention Strategies to reduce demand for drugs.

1. Strengthening Law Enforcement

The Belgian federal government has already proposed key reforms to law enforcement, including:

• Merging the six Brussels police zones into one to ensure a more unified and effective security policy.
• Implementing a zero-tolerance policy for drugs in and around metro stations and public areas.
• Expanding the “Very Irritating Police” (VIP) approach to disrupt drug markets by making targeted areas less attractive to dealers.
• Strengthening the Federal Canal Plan to combat organized crime hubs.

These measures are necessary but need to be executed effectively, with improved coordination between regional and federal authorities. Additionally, police officers should receive specialized training to deal with drug-related crimes and addiction-related offenses in a way that combines security with education. There are many examples worldwide where police officers have been giving drug prevention information lectures, which helps give the youth the information from authoritative sources they trust..

2. Investing in Prevention: Reducing Demand for Drugs

While robust law enforcement may disrupt drug networks in the short term (and it should be done), it does not address why people use drugs in the first place. The current focus on crack cocaine and middle-class cocaine use as well as the “normalized” use of marijuana, cannabis, and the likes, suggests deep societal issues—ranging from economic hardship to social isolation and life struggles coming from lack of tools and strategies to deal with day to day problems.

To reduce drug demand, the government could use the following strategies:

• Strengthen School and Community-Based Prevention Programs: Targeted education in schools, community centers, and workplaces can delay or prevent drug experimentation among youth.
• Erradicate Harm Reduction Strategies: Supervised consumption rooms, while intended to reduce harm, often lead to unintended consequences. These facilities can normalize drug use, attract criminal activity, and become hotspots for dealers preying on vulnerable individuals. Rather than offering a pathway to rehabilitation, they risk perpetuating addiction by providing a space for continued substance use without addressing the underlying causes. Redirecting resources towards comprehensive rehabilitation programs and education initiatives would provide a more sustainable solution to breaking the cycle of addiction.
• Expand Public Awareness Campaigns: Programs like “The Truth About Drugs” led in Belgium by Julie Delvaux, and other educational initiatives should receive increased support. These campaigns inform young people and at-risk populations about the dangers of drug use, using real-life testimonies and factual information.

Overcoming Political and Structural Barriers

A major obstacle to implementing these solutions is the political deadlock in Brussels. Disagreements between francophone and Flemish nationalist parties have left Brussels without a regional government, preventing crucial reforms from being enacted. Additionally, funding constraints and bureaucratic inefficiencies slow down progress.

To break through these barriers, the following steps should be prioritized:

• Fast-tracking police zone unification to eliminate coordination issues.
• Establishing a Brussels-wide Drug Policy Task Force that includes experts from law enforcement, education, health, and social services to ensure a comprehensive response.
• Lobbying for increased EU support for drug education campaigns and law enforcement cooperation, especially given Belgium’s role as a hub for drug trafficking into Europe.

A Call to Action: Beyond Short-Term Measures

The current situation in Brussels is unsustainable. While police crackdowns may bring temporary relief, they do not solve the deeper societal problems driving drug abuse and violence. A comprehensive supply-and-demand approach—combining strong law enforcement with effective prevention, education, and drug rehab efforts (not substitution drugs)—is essential for long-term success.

The time for half-measures is over. Brussels must act decisively to ensure that future generations do not grow up in a city where drug-related violence is just “something they have to live with.”