The Netherlands is grappling with a surge in flakka use, with the West Brabant and Zeeland regions bearing the brunt of the problem. Last year alone,Dutch police recorded over 1,000 flakka-related incidents nationwide,with more than half concentrated in these two areas. This region has become a hotspot for new synthetic drugs, as it’s where much of the production takes place.
While GHB was initially the dominant synthetic drug,flakka is making a comeback,despite its soaring price,now exceeding even that of cocaine. “First it was 5 euros per gram,now it’s 40 euros per gram,” says Joke,a frontline worker who witnesses the devastating effects of the drug firsthand. She notes a subtle shift in the drug’s composition. “At first, there was this strong chemical smell around the addicts,” she recalls.”That substance has been banned and replaced with something not yet on the list of prohibited substances.”
Joke observes a disturbing trend: “The majority of addicts have a dual diagnosis,” she explains. “Many suffer from serious psychiatric problems – trauma, autism spectrum disorder, or individuals who have fallen through the cracks of our healthcare system. They end up lost and with nowhere to turn.”
“Sometimes, the homeless organization calls me because they’ve had to expel someone who actually needs help,” Joke says. “then we go looking for them.” Dealing with flakka addicts can be incredibly challenging. “Especially when they’re encountering this new drug for the first time and don’t know how to cope.”
Flakka-induced psychosis can be particularly harrowing, lasting for weeks before individuals emerge. “You can’t fight it,” Joke says. “If they shout, ‘Stay away from me,’ I simply say, ‘That’s fine, I’ll put your coffee here.'”
While Joke can’t provide housing, she leverages her network to help people find their way. “If someone has an address, they can climb out of the spiral,” she explains. “They can get an ID card, a personal budget, benefits. There’s a lot of trouble caused by people living in tents who aren’t eligible for anything. Things frequently enough go wrong. A place where they can relax for a while is crucial.”
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