Kaiserslautern: Living misery in Asternweg – This is how the future of hope lives

Kaiserslautern: Living misery in Asternweg – This is how the future of hope lives

The social fire burns in the Kalkhofen district of Kaiserslautern: the social hotspot has shed little light into the darkness in recent years. Despite the information provided by the VOX documentary soap, which began ten years ago, the living situation of the residents remains precarious. The shabby apartments are still standing, uninsulated and without bathrooms, and rents of just 75 euros belie the true living conditions. Joachim Wagner, 72 years old, lives in a heavily trashed apartment without electricity or gas because he prefers to use his savings on alcohol. “I need the money to drink,” he says in an interview with Focus.

The alcohol problem runs like a common thread through the residents' stories. Around 2.2 million people in Germany met the medical criteria for addiction in 2024, and the health consequences are alarming. In 2020, around 14,200 people died of alcohol-related illnesses, a circumstance that unfortunately also affects many people in Asternweg. The social tensions in Kalkhofen continue to increase and the statistics underline: People in such socially disadvantaged areas live on average ten years shorter than the national average. The city is trying to draw attention to the unfortunate situation, but without significant progress. Klaus Weichel, the former mayor, admits that the city's commitment is there, but the results are lacking.

Economic burden and bureaucratic hurdles

Steffi Kallenbach, a single parent with five children, struggles to cope with everyday life while her children struggle with school problems. The local landlady Ilse has tried to help the family, but hope for improvement is dwindling. “I don’t see any improvement,” she admits frankly. Katharina Welsh-Schied, a local entrepreneur, is also campaigning for better conditions, but repeatedly encounters bureaucratic hurdles that torpedo her efforts.

The association “Asternweg e.V.” has already launched a number of renovation projects, but the city has not yet agreed on the necessary fire protection measures. It's a desperate cycle that continues to find adherents. Resistance is high and resources are scarce. Residents long for change, but waiting for real progress becomes a test of patience.

A look at the future

Patience is often required in the field of social justice. But while initiatives like those of the aid organizations are working to improve the image and quality of life in Asternweg, the shadow of alcohol will continue to cast itself over society. Around 8.6 million Germans aged 18 to 64 consume risky amounts of alcohol, while the annual average alcohol consumption figures are not negligible. The challenges remain.

In a nation that remains one of the world's highest alcohol consumption countries, attitudes towards the issue urgently need to change. With an average per capita consumption of 10.6 liters of pure alcohol annually, we are in the top third of the international rankings. Dealing with alcohol in Germany represents a promising debate that also requires action in socially disadvantaged areas such as Asternweg. Critical reflection is needed to break the cycle and pave new paths for the future.