Drug Scene in Sweden - What clean Streets don’t tell you

Photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

Welcome back to Day 26 of July's UBC. Time is flying, right? Today, let’s talk about something a little heavier.

One of the first things I noticed in Stockholm was a homeless man pushing an oversized shopping cart. It wasn’t what I expected. His cart held a plastic-wrapped mattress, shopping bags, and camping gear; he looked organized, healthy, even prepared. I remember thinking, “Even those who have so little seem to be doing better here.”

What’s more, he was one of only two homeless people I saw during my entire four-day stay. That really stood out, especially when I compare it to cities in France, Germany, or the U.S. I also didn’t come across anyone who seemed high or begging for drug money. Granted, I stayed in central areas and was mostly out during the day, but the sense of cleanliness and order was unmistakable.

Still, I’d heard whispers about Sweden’s nightclub scene and drug use, so I got curious and did a little digging. What I found surprised me: Sweden has one of the highest drug overdose death rates in Europe, more than triple that of Switzerland. (The numbers? About 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Sweden, compared to Switzerland’s 2, and the U.S.’s staggering 32, largely driven by fentanyl.)

So while I didn’t personally see any signs of drug use on my trip, clearly, it’s happening, just not out in the open.

And apparently, it’s not just clubgoers. Studies in Stockholm have shown that even nightclub staff, yes, the bartenders and bouncers meant to enforce the rules, sometimes have higher drug use rates than the general public. In a country with zero-tolerance policies, that’s both ironic and problematic.

To address this, the Swedish government launched Clubs Against Drugs, a program aimed at cleaning up nightlife from the inside. It included training staff to spot intoxicated guests, setting conduct codes for employees, conducting random drug tests, and ramping up checks by licensing authorities. And it helped somewhat. Drug use among staff dropped, and more guests were turned away. But of course, it didn’t solve everything.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

Here’s the bigger picture: Sweden takes a hardline approach to drugs. The laws are strict, public campaigns are widespread, and even schools and police are involved early. And in some ways, it works. Overall drug use is lower than in places like Switzerland or the UK.

But here’s the catch: Because of the stigma and lack of support services, people who do use drugs often do so in secret. Without clean supplies, medical supervision, or help if something goes wrong. And that’s why Sweden’s overdose death rate is so high.

Compare that to Switzerland, where harm reduction is key. Safe consumption spaces, access to clean materials, and medical care may not eliminate drug use, but they do save lives.

It’s a tough balance: Do you focus on prevention through strict laws, or on minimizing harm for those who are already struggling? Sweden has chosen the former, and while it keeps public spaces tidy, the cost may be invisibility, isolation, and unnecessary loss of life behind closed doors.

Stockholm feels incredibly safe, clean, and well-kept. The streets, the trams, the historic buildings, they're all beautifully maintained. But addiction is rarely visible. It’s complex, private, and deeply human. Just because it’s not on display doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

As a visitor, it’s easy to admire the surface. But sometimes, it’s what stays hidden that tells the more complicated story.

Have you ever visited a place that looked perfect on the outside but left you wondering what might be happening behind the scenes?