Drug-related crime suspects now outnumber alcohol cases in parts of Finland, police data shows

A growing share of crime suspects in Finland are under the influence of drugs rather than alcohol, according to police statistics obtained by national broadcaster Yle. Last year saw a 14 percent increase in offences committed while intoxicated by narcotics, though alcohol still remains the more common factor overall.

The shift reflects rising problematic drug use, with regional variations showing particularly high rates in Helsinki, Lahti, Oulu, and Vantaa. Police report that drug-intoxicated suspects are increasingly unpredictable, citing cases where individuals fled by jumping into water or climbed construction scaffolding while under the influence of substances like alpha-PVP.

Unpredictable behaviour challenges police
Helsinki police have adjusted operations in response, including enhanced staff training and stricter safety protocols. “A broken alpha-PVP pipe or bottle can be as dangerous as a knife,” warned Chief Superintendent Henri Helminen. Officers now treat such items as potential weapons during searches.

Drugs are most strongly linked to property crimes, often committed to fund addiction, while alcohol remains more prevalent in violent offences. In Lahti’s Liipola district—where nearly a quarter of residents receive basic social assistance—drug-related crime rates were three times higher than alcohol-related cases last year. Neighbouring Kiveriö saw four times as many drug-linked offences.

Residents describe mixed experiences
Local reactions vary. Some Liipola residents told Yle they had not directly witnessed drug use but acknowledged rumours, while others in Kiveriö reported occasional unease near certain streets. “Sometimes I feel a bit unsafe, especially around Tunnelikatu,” said one shopper, though most described the area as generally secure.

Police data excludes cases where intoxication status was unknown. The figures cover 2025 and highlight how substance abuse patterns are reshaping law enforcement priorities.