Amsterdam: Drugs, Flowers, Bikes and Homelessness
Situated in a magical land of endless canals, tireless windmills and colorful canvases of oversized tulips, Amsterdam is the biggest, most flavorful melting pot of the world. With a rich history and a strong eclectic culture, the city pulses to its own beat, churning new rhythms to set the pace of modern trends. Heartbeat of the Netherlands, fairy tale historic buildings, amazing art museums, well maintained gardens and immaculate parks amplify the glitz of Amsterdam City, and lest I forget to mention, it is one of the few places on Earth where coffee shops and Red Light districts strive freely.
Pleasures and indulgences are strategically located on every square inch of the town and gullible visitors are likely to learn too late that one can never get their fill of Amsterdam. A taste of the city, will leave you wanting more and more because Amsterdam is addictive. Even after living there for two years, every now and then I am drawn back by its aesthetic powers to experience the allies anew or to observe the new developments in the sectors of visual and performing arts, technology and science.
Be warned: Amsterdam is glam and glitter wrapped in puffs of cannabis smoke designed to take you on a city adventure of a lifetime.
But after living there for two years, there were moments when the smog cleared and I caught a view of the undergrounds, of the not so glitzy scenes, the less colorful and flowerless alleys, the places were pleasure can easily turn into pain. Once my head stopped spinning from the reverie, I could finally see them. I could see the large communities of homeless people who form the backdrop of this beautiful city.
Though they do not appear as obvious or as disheveled as homeless people I have noticed in other countries, they exist and their existence bespeaks a deep growing problem within the Dutch society.
The Netherlands has a comparatively good welfare system which takes care of the homeless and vulnerable.
When I lived there, the term "Junkie societies/communities" was used to describe the havens where these people could rest their heads and replenish. They had their own doctors, religious leaders, social workers and other professionals who cared for their nutritional and mental health amongst other things.
These welfare communities were formed to give the government a better handle of the least fortunate and delinquents and to help monitor crime, diseases and drug use. The problem is that these communities have become so attractive that there are some people who choose to become a part of them rather than live in their homes with their own family. During my time, I knew of a teenage girl who left home and decided to join one of these communities so that she could have the freedom her parents refused to give her at home. She happily reported that she felt safe and was treated with love and respect in the community. Her report is a testimony that these communities are doing a great job. That is good news. No one can deny that. However the attraction of these communities have contributed to the steady increase of junkie and homeless population over the years.
One of the advantages of staying in a "junkie community" is that the government allots a certain amount of free drugs for drug addicts to feed their obsessions. This relieves the addict of the financial burden and puts the state in control of that addict's usage. Free drugs is intended to keep addicts from committing crimes in order to get money to fund their cravings as well as to help the government monitor drug use.
However, it remains to be seen whether the increasing strain placed on the government by the growing sizes of these communities and the demanding and ravenous nature of addictions, will break the back of the welfare system.
Already, I can see cracks in the dikes, cracks which Hans Brinker himself couldn't plug with his little heroic fingers. But maybe the addicts themselves have found a way to reduce the stress on the system. Perhaps they, like the legendary Hans Brinker can stop the system from collapsing by poking their sticky fingers into the cracks.
Addicts who want more drugs than the government allots them resort to stealing. Bike theft is among the highest form of larceny and a report in 2017 stated that over 58% of bikes are stolen. In Amsterdam, catching someone stealing a bike is as likely as sighting a tulip flower. I cannot count the number of times, I have witnessed homeless persons cut through the chains of a bike and ride away while the owner screamed and ran after them. And bike theft is unlikely to reduce anytime soon for this is a stable and sustainable source of income for addicts.
I was a part of a noble group of friends who originally refused to buy stolen bikes from homeless or junkie vendors. At first they paid high prices and purchased their bikes from reputable stores and they were proud of their honesty. However, after having their brand new bike stolen several times and usually just after having ridden it for a week or a few days, they resolved to purchase stolen bikes or to walking. To clear up any aspersions, let me just say at this time, that I chose to walk and to take public transport which is readily available throughout the country. That decision burnt calories and a crater in my pocket but at least it didn't burn a hole in my conscience.
Despite the heavy drug use and the high numbers of homeless communities, the crime rate in Amsterdam is no higher than the average rate for most cities and the risk of violent assaults is low. So have no fear. Once the corona virus is no longer a threat, give this city a visit and treat yourself to one of the most beautiful, diverse experiences you will ever have.
Until next time
Venture Out. Keep exploring. Travel Smart and Stay Safe.
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