Investigation into treatment for crack addiction halted
Amsterdam asks minister for clarity after inspectorate stopped production of investigational medicine.
A national study into long-acting dexamfetamine for people with severe crack or cocaine addiction has been halted. The municipality of Amsterdam says the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate stopped production of the drug for the study and is calling for a solution.
The study is called REDUCE and is being conducted partly by GGD Amsterdam, researchers and healthcare organisations elsewhere in the country. According to the municipality, the first patients had only just started when production of the investigational medicine was halted. The municipality has not made the reason for the stoppage public.
Amsterdam wants Minister of Health Sophie Hermans to bring the parties involved together quickly. The municipality is also calling for a national guideline on prescribing and using short-acting dexamfetamine for patients with crack addiction. This is not an established general treatment: the study is specifically intended to determine whether long-acting dexamfetamine is effective and safe.
The issue is playing out against a backdrop of growing concern about crack use and the nuisance some cities associate with it. The Trimbos Institute writes, on the basis of the European drugs report, that crack plays a greater role in the Netherlands among people with problematic hard-drug use than heroin does. According to the institute, a significant proportion of this group remains outside mainstream care.
Amsterdam is also discussing other forms of help. D66 Amsterdam proposes financially rewarding people with severe addiction problems, under certain conditions, for desired behaviour, such as taking part in treatment or receiving medical care. The party calls this contingency management and says healthcare professionals should determine who the approach is suitable for.
This means three discussions are becoming entangled: limiting nuisance, reaching people who avoid care and testing medical treatment. None of the plans mentioned means that crack is generally available on prescription. As long as the study remains halted, it is also unknown whether dexamfetamine improves participants’ use, health or social problems.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The REDUCE study has been halted after production of the investigational medicine was stopped.
- The municipality of Amsterdam is calling for clarification and a national guideline.
- D66 Amsterdam proposes financial rewards and assertive outreach.
- There is still no study outcome confirming the effectiveness or safety of dexamfetamine for crack addiction.
Left
Arguments Addiction should primarily be treated as a health and subsistence problem. Low-threshold care, harm reduction and financial incentives can reach people who are excluded from mainstream support because of homelessness or mental health problems.
Values Public health, human dignity and social inclusion.
Consequences More care may reduce nuisance in the long term, but requires public funds and clear protection against the exploitation of vulnerable people.
Centre
Arguments New treatments and reward programmes must first be carefully investigated. At the same time, the government must protect residents, support healthcare providers and prevent an experiment from being presented as proven therapy.
Values Evidence-based policy, proportionality and public order.
Consequences A step-by-step approach can increase trust and safety, but means that results and relief will not be available immediately.
Right
Arguments Public spaces should be safe and orderly. Help is important, but from this perspective participation must not mean that nuisance is accepted; enforcement and clear conditions must be part of the approach.
Values Responsibility, safety and compliance with rules.
Consequences A stronger security policy may protect residents more directly, but may also push people with addictions further away from care and support services.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text clearly distinguishes between a study that is under way but has been halted, political proposals and proven treatment. The unknown reason for the production stoppage and the absence of treatment results are explicitly stated.
- confirmed The REDUCE study into long-acting dexamfetamine has been halted. — The municipality of Amsterdam reports that production of the investigational medicine was stopped and that the study has consequently been halted. source
- confirmed GGD Amsterdam and other healthcare organisations and researchers are involved in the study. — The municipal explanation names these parties as being involved. source
- confirmed These plans have not resulted in general medical provision of crack on prescription. — The sources mentioned describe research and proposals, not an introduced prescribing policy. source
- confirmed D66 Amsterdam proposes financial rewards for desired behaviour. — D66 Amsterdam describes contingency management and examples of desired behaviour. source
- confirmed Trimbos describes crack as a growing problem within problematic hard-drug use. — The Trimbos Institute summarises the European Drugs Report 2026. source
Editor's note
It is certain that REDUCE has been halted, according to the municipality, and that Amsterdam is asking for clarification. The reason for the production stoppage, the eventual outcome of the study and the precise feasibility of financial rewards remain unknown.Sources
- Amsterdam vraagt minister om hulp na stopzetten onderzoek nieuwe behandeling crackverslaving — Gemeente Amsterdam
- Europees Drugsrapport 2026: Snelle veranderingen op drugsmarkt vergroten gezondheidsrisico’s in Europa — Trimbos-instituut
- D66 Amsterdam: help mensen van straat met beloning en bemoeizorg — D66 Amsterdam