Drug problem resurfaces in Vilnius district as residents report public use and discarded syringes

Residents of Vilnius’s Markučiai district have raised concerns over persistent drug use in public spaces, with discarded syringes and open consumption reported even during the day, LRT reports.

The issue has flared up again with warmer weather, according to Vilnius municipality, which says it is working with police to increase surveillance in the area. Local authorities acknowledge the problem has existed for two years, though it had temporarily eased before resurfacing this summer.

Residents describe encountering groups of people injecting drugs near abandoned buildings and apartment blocks, with syringes left scattered in streets and bus stops. One parent recalled finding a man collapsed with syringes near an entrance, while others reported seeing users in playgrounds and public areas. A mother said she now restricts her teenage daughter’s movements due to safety concerns, citing incidents where individuals under the influence have collapsed in public.

Vilnius municipality states that police patrols and territorial maintenance have helped in the past, and low-threshold services—such as free clean needle distribution—are available for those struggling with addiction. However, officials admit the problem has intensified with the return of warm weather, as users and dealers exploit secluded spots behind buildings and bushes.

Police have launched seven pre-trial investigations into drug distribution and use in Markučiai, detaining eight individuals so far. Synthetic opioid fentanyl is reported as the most commonly used substance in the area. Authorities link the issue to the relocation of individuals from a demolished Roma camp, some of whom now reside in Markučiai.

Police urge residents to report incidents and assure that efforts are being made to control the situation. A police spokesperson described the problem as daily but stated that significant resources are being dedicated to addressing it.