Need for outreach services highlighted amid drug issues in Vantaa

A designated site for disposing of drug needles can be found along a pathway just steps away from the Myyrmäki train station in Vantaa. When police instruct people using substances to move on from Paalutor, many head to this area, accessing a small green space that leads to residential buildings. Iiro Timonen, a field worker with the organization Irti Huumeista, describes the ongoing struggle, likening it to a game of cat and mouse.

Timonen notes that there is a pressing need for outreach services in Vantaa, as funding for such efforts is currently limited to Helsinki. As a result, outreach activities in nearby Espoo will face cuts at the end of the year. The drug culture has shifted over the years, according to Laura Mandell-Mäki, a volunteer who overcame her addiction two years prior after experiencing significant personal loss. She emphasizes that substance use patterns often involve multiple substances and can span across generations.

With the advent of online purchasing, accessing drugs has become easier, raising concerns about the future of youth who may turn to substance use in the absence of engaging activities. Upcoming government funding cuts threaten to reduce the number of social and health workers significantly, possibly exacerbating existing issues.

Amid ongoing police operations intended to combat drug trafficking, many individuals report feeling pushed away. While discussions around drug users have become slightly more empathetic over time, there remains a lack of safe spaces for individuals seeking help. Volunteers express the need for dedicated locations where people can gather, socialize, and receive guidance, especially as existing facilities face closure, which could lead to increased hardships on the streets. Timonen emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity behind substance use and fostering meaningful conversations.