During the first months of 2025, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro saw shifts in the locations of open-air drug use, raising concerns about the effectiveness of public security strategies. While São Paulo reported a decline in drug users on Rua dos Protestantes, this was accompanied by an increase in their presence in other downtown areas. Similarly, residents of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana neighborhood have reported the formation of a new crack den, leading to a rise in crime and public disturbances. These developments highlight the complex challenges of addressing drug addiction and maintaining urban security.
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Streets in Downtown São Paulo
The decline in the number of drug users on Rua dos Protestantes—the only street in São Paulo monitored daily by drones, civil guards, and a virtual surveillance panel—has coincided with an increase in drug use in other downtown areas. According to residents, business owners, and community security councils, crack users have dispersed to various streets in Luz, Santa Cecília, Consolação, Bom Retiro, and Campos Elíseos. Pedestrians frequently encounter individuals smoking crack in public spaces, often near traffic. While the monthly average of users on Rua dos Protestantes dropped from over 500 per day to nearly 100 by the end of 2024, experts question whether this represents a real reduction in drug use or merely a shift in location. The city government attributes the decline to improved outreach and social services, expanded public security efforts utilizing surveillance technology, and measures to prevent new individuals from ending up on the streets.
Roosevelt Square
One of the areas most affected by the displacement of drug users is the overpass beneath Roosevelt Square, which connects Augusta Street to the Presidente João Goulart elevated highway. At any time of the day, men and women can be seen smoking crack there. The situation worsens at night, when traffic is restricted, and on weekends when the number of users increases significantly. At certain times, it is possible to count as many as 50 individuals gathered in the area, raising concerns about public safety and hygiene.
Crack Den in Copacabana
Residents of Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, report the emergence of a crack den in Edmundo Bittencourt Square and its surrounding streets. According to local accounts, drug users have taken up residence in the area, leading to an increase in violent incidents, disturbances, and public disorder. Reports include fights, threats to residents, and even sexual activity in public spaces. In neighborhood WhatsApp groups, residents share security camera footage showing drug consumption during the day, break-ins, thefts, and individuals scaling walls to enter buildings. Littering and vandalism have also become growing concerns, while some residents claim they have been directly threatened near their homes.
Police Response
The Military Police stated that the 19th BPM (Copacabana) is working alongside the 12th DP (Copacabana) to identify individuals involved in the crack den at Edmundo Bittencourt Square. Despite the area’s proximity to the Special Police Station for Senior Citizens, drug sales and consumption persist, highlighting the ongoing challenge of law enforcement in containing the problem. Authorities continue to investigate and implement measures to address the growing security concerns raised by residents.
Analysis:
The recent shifts in open-air drug use in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro highlight the challenges of urban security and social policies in addressing substance abuse. The reduction in drug users on Rua dos Protestantes in São Paulo, while initially a positive indicator, suggests a displacement rather than a resolution of the problem, as other areas in the city—such as Roosevelt Square—have seen an increase in users.
In Rio de Janeiro, the emergence of a crack den in Copacabana follows a similar trend, where the presence of drug users has led to rising crime, public disturbances, and increased insecurity for residents. Despite police efforts to monitor and control the situation, reports of thefts, invasions, and threats suggest that a purely repressive approach does not adequately address the root causes of the issue. The challenge lies in balancing security measures with social policies that offer viable alternatives for individuals struggling with addiction.
Sources: A Folha de SP; O Globo.
