Residents concerned about substance use in public places
Residents of Western Uusimaa have become more concerned about substance use and safety since 2024. In the 2026 survey on substance use, more respondents than before reported being afraid of intoxicated people or being harassed or bothered in public places. Residents also reported more observations of illicit drug use among minors and drugs being supplied to minors.
We conducted the survey on substance use among residents of Western Uusimaa for the second time from 21 September to 11 October 2026. A total of 2,411 residents responded to the online survey, compared with 4,873 respondents in 2024.
In the survey, residents shared their views on substance use in public places, substance use among minors and safety in their neighbourhoods. The survey is conducted every two years.
Intoxicated behaviour increases feelings of insecurity
We asked residents whether they thought there was too much substance use in their neighbourhood. In 2026, 39% of respondents thought that there was too much alcohol use in their neighbourhood, compared with 28% in 2024.
The change was even greater for illicit drugs. In 2026, 39% of respondents thought that there was too much illicit drug use in their neighbourhood, compared with 13% in 2024.
Fear of intoxicated people has also increased. In 2024, 25% of respondents reported having been afraid of intoxicated people on the street or in another public place in their municipality of residence during the previous 12 months. In 2026, the figure had risen to 37%.
In the open-ended responses, intoxicated people were described as unpredictable, confused, aggressive and loud. Substance use was observed particularly in and around shopping centres, in grocery shops, on public transport, at transport hubs and in the vicinity of supported housing units for people with substance use problems.
The proportion of respondents who had been harassed or bothered also increased, from 15% in 2024 to 23% in 2026.
The open-ended responses mentioned incidents such as requests for money, shouting, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, being followed, threats of violence, theft and vandalism. Residents were concerned that polydrug use had become increasingly visible in their neighbourhoods.
More observations of illicit drug use among minors
In 2026, residents reported slightly more observations of intoxicating substances being supplied to minors than in 2024.
The increase was particularly clear for illicit drugs. In 2024, 13% of adult respondents had observed drugs being supplied to minors. In 2026, the corresponding figure was 21%.
Based on residents’ observations, there was no major change in the use of alcohol, snus or nicotine pouches, or electronic cigarettes/vapes among minors. However, observations of cannabis use, use of laughing gas and other drug use increased:
- cannabis: from 19% to 23%
- laughing gas: from 4% to 9%
- other drugs: from 11% to 19%.
Smoking, by contrast, was observed less frequently than in 2024. The figure fell from 61% to 55%.
The results suggest that illicit drug use among minors and drugs being supplied to minors are being observed more frequently than before.
The next survey on substance use will be conducted in 2028. It will provide further information on how the situation has developed.
We will use the survey responses in the work of the municipalities in the region and the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. We would like to warmly thank everyone who responded to the survey and congratulate the prize draw winners.