Drug addiction in Germany: Streeck calls for urgent action!

Drug addiction in Germany: Streeck calls for urgent action!

Today's World Drug Day brings the serious issue of drug use and addiction into the public eye. Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck warned urgently against addiction as a marginal issue that should not be underestimated. According to him, almost ten million people in Germany suffer from an addiction, which not only places a heavy burden on the individual, but also those around them - be it children, friends or work colleagues. The debate calls for addiction to be viewed not only from a moral or legal perspective, but above all from a health perspective, in order to combat the problem more effectively. Streeck sees the need to establish prevention as a political priority, especially for vulnerable groups such as young people.

The alarming numbers speak for themselves: in 2023 there were 2,227 drug-related deaths across Germany, a shocking doubling compared to ten years ago. The drug deaths report for 2024 will be published in early July and it remains to be seen what sad developments it will reveal. A report from daily news shows that globally the number of drug users increased from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021 — an increase of almost a quarter in just ten years.

Global problems and local impacts

In a global context, increased access to drugs and increasing availability of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl are creating a worrying situation. These substances are simpler and cheaper to produce, which makes monitoring them even more complicated for authorities. According to the UN, almost 70% of recognized drug deaths in 2019 were due to opioids. The situation is so serious that illegal drugs kill approximately 70,000 people in the United States each year, one of the highest death rates in the world. Statista reports that cannabis remains the most frequently used illegal drug, with one in four adults in Germany having used cannabis at least once.

In Germany, the problem is exacerbated by the increasing trafficking of drugs via the Darknet. Streeck emphasizes that more and more cheap drugs, especially cocaine, are entering Europe. The resulting health consequences not only affect those affected, but also represent an immense social challenge.

Prevention is key

To combat this problem, Streeck calls for comprehensive cross-border approaches and joint action against drug trafficking. The challenges are great, and prevention must be addressed in a targeted manner in order to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use in a timely manner, especially among young people.

The fact that millions of people worldwide suffer from drug addiction and the health and social consequences are apparently becoming increasingly serious shows that there is an urgent need for action. The positive developments in drug policy that we may seek will require not only local efforts but also international cooperation.