Frankfurt fights against Crack - drug remains focal point in the Bahnhofsviertel!

Frankfurt fights against Crack - drug remains focal point in the Bahnhofsviertel!

in the heart of Frankfurt, around the main train station, is bubbling. The area has developed into a focal point for drug addiction and crime for years. In the course of corona apandemic, significant progress in the fight against these challenges has unfortunately been destroyed again. Particularly alarming: the consumption of crack has increased significantly. This often makes the situation for residents, business people and those affected themselves intolerable. This problem not only attracts Frankfurt, but also consumers from all over southern Germany. According to FAZ.NET, the conditions in the district are not easy for everyone involved.

An impressive phenomenon is that, according to the social department, about every second drug consumer in Frankfurt does not come from the city, a third of the addicts are even from other federal states. In order to be able to meet this, the city of Frankfurt has initiated various measures, including raids and a prohibition on weapons. Nevertheless, visible improvements are often not equivalent to a solution to the crack problem. Social department Elke Voitl (Greens) has already determined a location for a help center for crack addicts, where help offers, accommodation and consumption rooms are to be provided.

political arguments and new ways

But these plans are not undisputed. The decision about the new location will be made in the city council in early July. Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) is considered a driving force behind the "paradigm shift": foreign drug users are to be rejected. A new direction that aims to reduce drug tourism and create an auxiliary network between the municipalities in order to distribute the load of drug help over more shoulders. However, the coalition partners, FDP and Greens are not happy with the previous suggestions. An open letter from property owners and business representatives in the station district reflects the uncertainty about the targeted addiction help center.

Here it is required to thoroughly evaluate the planned location for the center. It should not only be about the dismissal of external addicts, but also to ensure that they do not end up on the street. Residents are increasingly worried about noise and garbage, while business people fear a possible drop in sales. Police President Stefan Müller has also spoken out and demands that no support for people from other federal states are provided in the drug aid institutions.

drug help under pressure

A look at the numerical situation shows that around 200 addicts can be observed in the open drug scene, while around 3,000 consumption rooms use where the conditions are controlled. 44% of users live in Frankfurt itself, 27% from other Hessian cities, while the rest from other federal states are traveling. The city plans an integrated drug and addiction aid center that not only offers rooms for crack smoking, but also promises medical and therapeutic help as well as sleeping places. This new approach could also be used to fundamentally defuse the "drug problem", as [hessenschau.de] (https://www.hessenschau.de/sgesellschaft/frankfurt-will-keine-crack-abhaengigen-von-Auschen-v1.crack-bahnhofsviertel- Konsumraeume-100.html) reports.

The situation is indeed tense, not only for those affected, but also for the city. There are currently four drug consumption in Frankfurt, but the concerns that dependent on foreign dependent have to reject the authorities with new challenges. In Frankfurt, where the first official consumer space of Germany was opened in 1994, a model is sought that is based on the experiences of international role models, such as Zurich, where drug help is regulated by law.

What's going on in Frankfurt's drug policy? Future decisions could be crucial for how to deal with addicts and drug users in the city. It is clear that a balanced approach is necessary that takes into account the needs of the residents and the situation of dependent. In view of the different interests and the pressing problem, it is to hope that the responsible politicians will find a good knack in the solution - and above all that the quality of life in the station district can soon be improved.