Currently - Madeira's Drugs Crisis

The beautiful Atlantic island of Madeira has a chronic problem with a cheap synthetic drug imported through the post.

The drug - nicknamed Bloom - is so easy to get hold of, so cheap and so addictive that authorities are struggling to cope.

Helen Clifton has spent time with police and frontline services to get an idea of how big a problem Bloom now is across Madeiran society. She comes face to face with addicts, and hears about the desperate social impact of a drug more addictive than heroin.

With authorities trying - but failing - to stop the supply, Bloom addicts are in full sight on the streets amongst locals and tourists.

So how can Madeira get a grip on its Bloom problem, before it grows out of control?

Presenter/Producer: Helen Clifton
Additional reporting: Erica Franco
Research: Liliana Jardim

Published on Monday, 2nd June 2025.

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