Politics · Netherlands · 7 hrs ago
Amsterdam allocates €6 million to tackle drug-related public disorder
Amsterdam is setting aside €6 million to address rising public disorder linked to visible drug use.
Police recorded 1,710 alcohol- and drug-related nuisance reports in the first half of this year, up from 1,363 in the same period a year earlier.
The city will add 274 shelter places this winter, including 37 overnight places with supervised drug-use rooms for people who often do not use regular shelters.
The plan focuses on the Oosterparkbuurt and H-buurt, where drug use and street disorder are especially visible.
Amsterdam also plans more cleaning, mental health support and supervised spaces, while giving greater priority to people who repeatedly cause disruption and tightening rules for clearing and cleaning small tent camps.
The city says it needs €18 million more from the national government to address shortages in shelter and care, noting that Amsterdam houses a quarter of the Netherlands' homeless people but receives 16.5% of national shelter funding.
The city will report on progress in March.
Amsterdam will spend €6 million to address rising drug-related public disorder.
The city plans more shelter and supervised drug-use spaces, extra cleaning and tougher action against repeat offenders causing nuisance.
The measures focus especially on the Oosterparkbuurt and H-buurt neighbourhoods.
Police recorded 1,710 alcohol- and drug-related nuisance reports in the first half of this year, up from 1,363 in the same period a year earlier.
Amsterdam says it needs €18 million more from the national government to reduce shortages in shelter and care.
- Who
- The Amsterdam city government.
- What
- It is allocating €6 million to tackle drug-related public disorder through shelter, care, cleaning and enforcement measures.
- When
- Announced on 10 November 2026. Some expanded shelter places are planned for this winter.
- Where
- Amsterdam, especially the Oosterparkbuurt and H-buurt neighbourhoods.
- Why
- The city says visible drug use, homelessness, pollution and unsafe situations are increasing, affecting residents’ sense of safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police recorded 1,363 alcohol- and drug-related nuisance reports in Amsterdam.
Mayor Femke Halsema raised the alarm about increasing drug use and homelessness affecting the four largest Dutch cities.
Police recorded 1,710 alcohol- and drug-related nuisance reports in Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam city government announced its €6 million plan and said it would report progress to the city council in March 2027.
Amsterdam plans to expand homeless shelter by 274 places and add 37 night-shelter places with drug-use rooms.
- Budget
- €6 million
- Extra shelter places
- 274 this winter
- Night shelter with drug-use rooms
- 37 places
- Nuisance reports
- 1,710 in the first half of 2026; 1,363 in the first half of 2025
- Priority areas
- Oosterparkbuurt and H-buurt
- Additional national funding sought
- €18 million
What people are saying
a worrying increase in nuisance linked to visible drug use
residents of Amsterdam are paying a high price because of the increasing nuisance
complex and interconnected