Crack Use in Public Spaces in the Brussels-Capital Region (2025)

Research report in Dutch: Crackgebruik in de openbare ruimte in het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest_safe.brussels_UGent.pdf

Research report in French: Crackgebruik in de openbare ruimte in het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest_safe.brussels_UGent_FR.pdf

This research is a collaboration between the Observatory of safe.brussels and the Institute for Social Drug Research (ISD) of the Faculty of Law and Criminology at Ghent University.

A new research report, the result of a collaboration between the Institute for Social Drug Research (ISD) at Ghent University and the Observatory of safe.brussels, provides an overview of crack use in public spaces within the Brussels-Capital Region. Conducted in partnership with the academic sector, this study aims to offer a deeper understanding of the phenomenon in order to guide public policy in a targeted and effective manner. Based on a methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, the research finds that crack use is closely linked to deeply rooted social issues such as homelessness, poverty, and limited access to social services. The findings highlight developments in the crack market, including increasing availability and intense patterns of consumption. The researchers recommend integrated collaboration among all relevant stakeholders to ensure a coherent and coordinated response to the issue.