Bahnhofsviertel in transition: dispute over drug center flared up!

Bahnhofsviertel in transition: dispute over drug center flared up!

The development of the Frankfurt station district, a central topic for the city, is burdened by a dispute over a planned addiction help center at Niddastraße 76. Various actors such as owners, residents, restaurateurs and traders expressly express divergent opinions on the project. A dialogue forum with around 100 participants, under the title "Life in the Bahnhofsviertel", took place recently. The chairman of the regional council, Arno Börtzler, emphasized the importance of networking the different interest groups. The discussion -round -round aspects such as cleanliness, living, social affairs, security and traffic. Residents and traders criticized the insufficient progress in the transport infrastructure and the needs of families in the district.

Special attention received the situation around drug use in public space. Drug use, especially from crack, is a significant problem in the Bahnhofsviertel. According to the reports, around 200 people currently consume drugs, a reduction compared to 350 last year. Police Vice President Christian Vögele underlined the government's zero tolerance policy against drug trafficking and pointed out that the Bahnhofsviertel has the highest police density in Hesse. Crime, especially street robbery, has dropped by 29%. Nevertheless, resident Angelika Totzer complains that children suffer from the current situation.

planned addiction help center

The city plans a new addiction aid center, the aim of which is not to attract any crack-dependent from other cities. Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) wants to create "order in public space" so that the Bahnhofsviertel remains an attractive outdoor area in which residents and employees can feel safe. Police President Stefan Müller also calls for drug aids in other cities to share responsibility. Despite the limited capacities for offers in Frankfurt, the integrated drug and addiction aid center will offer comprehensive therapeutic and medical support.

The city has so far have four drug use, which together offer 37 places for intravenous consumption and 17 places for smoking drugs; Around 3,000 people use these rooms, with 44% living in Frankfurt. Around 27% come from other Hessian cities and the rest from other federal states. There is also criticism of the possible dismissal of foreigners, which could lead to a negative perception.

social challenges and feedback

The urban development of the station district is strongly shaped by social challenges. The planned changes to traffic calming, such as the blocking of Taunusstraße as a thoroughfare and the long -distance railway tunnel at the main train station, should also help improve the quality of life in the district. Through the cooperation in the dialogue forum, which was launched three years ago, the city administration hopes for positive feedback, as has already been made by residents and entrepreneurs.

The city of Frankfurt therefore faces the challenge of finding a balance between combating drug crime and creating a more livable environment for residents. Despite the progress in the fight against crime, the Bahnhofsviertel remains a place that is characterized by social inequality and the dependency on drugs. In view of the continuing complaints about noise and garbage through drug addicts, it remains to be seen how the city will concrete implement its plans to ensure security and order.

More details on the current situation in the station district can be found in the reports of FAZ and Hessenschau . For a scientific perspective on the social and criminological aspects, please read in Degruyter Brill .