GATE, the first safe drug consumption space in Brussels, has been successful in providing refuge and hope to crack cocaine addicts in the city. Since its launch in 2022, the centre has seen high demand and will be expanding with a new facility next year. The majority of users at GATE are homeless individuals who can use drugs safely and access support services such as medical care and mental health support. However, the centre does not provide accommodation, so users must leave when it closes and return to the streets.
Social worker Bruno Valkeneers, who works at GATE, explains that the centre is a vital support system for people with heavy addictions to cocaine and crack. Many users report using cocaine to cope with the hardships of living on the streets. Valkeneers emphasizes that GATE is just a small part of the solution to the city’s drug problems and calls for more investment and cooperation to provide residential care to the homeless population.
Belgium is facing challenges in combating drug trafficking, with Antwerp port being a major gateway for drugs entering Europe. The Belgian government is collaborating with the Dutch to fight drug cartels, but the illicit drug market remains worth €30 billion a year. With drug traffickers becoming increasingly violent, the battle against drugs is a significant challenge.
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