Crack cocaine is becoming a problem not only in Frankfurt am Main, but also in other large German cities. Its high addiction potential makes this stimulant drug so dangerous and leads to impoverishment. The “ideological blocks” to effective aid measures are criticized.
According to one expert, the drug crack has become extremely widespread in major German cities in recent years. “It can be said that crack has reached almost every major city in Germany. And this is very worrying,” says Heino Stöver from the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences during a meeting Conference on this topic.
Until a few years ago there was actually only one scene in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Hanover. It was local. “But in the last seven or eight years we have noticed that in many other cities crack use has taken hold, albeit with different intensity,” says the professor of addiction research in social sciences, both in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Bremen and Berlin or Munich.
Crack is made with cocaine, often mixed with baking soda. The yellowish-white crystals are heated before being smoked, usually with a pipe. The name crack refers to the popping sound it produces. “It’s an enhancement of the cocaine rush. The drug has enormous addictive potential – and this is what makes it so dangerous,” says drug expert Stöver.
You feel a huge euphoria, much stronger than with cocaine, but it only lasts a few minutes, then you fall back into dysphoria, which is more or less the opposite. Addicts described the euphoria as “an ICE train through the brain” and it was something they wanted to repeat quickly.
The wicked “cocaine excess”
Raphael Schubert of the anti-drug organization Fixpunkt Berlin has observed a huge increase in crack use in the capital. An example: in a consumption place in the Kreuzberg district, in 2020, the percentage of crack among all drugs taken was 12%, as reported. Last year, however, it was almost 60%.
This also has to do with supply. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, around 43 tonnes of cocaine were seized in 2023, more than double the previous year. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) spoke of “cocaine excess”, while Frankfurt social affairs manager Elke Voitl (Greens) underlined: “The streets of our cities are currently flooded with drugs. Crack is spreading rapidly throughout Europe.”
“Open scenarios are re-emerging with great signs of impoverishment. In many places this can no longer be overlooked,” says Stöver. “What we previously only knew on a large scale in the United States in the 1990s has now found its way here too.” The highly addictive nature of crack cocaine quickly determines everyday life, says Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD). “Those affected quickly neglect their basic needs, become neglected in a very short time and often lose their apartment.”
This can be seen, for example, in the train station district of Frankfurt. Crack has long been the dominant drug in that country. “With enormous effects: While heroin tends to calm you down, crack stimulates you within seconds and sometimes even makes you aggressive,” says Elke Voitl, head of social affairs and health in Frankfurt. And the drug help service is once again faced with a changed situation, “with completely restless and enthusiastic clients who just need a completely new approach and very low-threshold help. Last but not least, consumption triggers new open scenes that would change our cities.” which also cause more and more conflicts in public spaces.
“Crack is and remains a street drug,” says Stöver. Unlike cocaine, it has not penetrated society. In his assessment, crack is used mostly by men - mostly in the third or fourth decade of life, “who were already in the drug world and then got into crack.” Deutsche Aidshilfe points out that the crack scene in Berlin and other cities is characterized by migrants who have sometimes only been in Germany for a short time.
Metdone has a “stabilizing” effect.
Classic abstinence is difficult because there is no pharmacological response to crack. “We have nothing comparable to methadone, which is given as a substitute to heroin addicts,” says Stöver. According to Schubert of Fixpunkt Berlin, however, many drug addicts also use heroin in addition to crack. Methadone could therefore at least contribute to stabilization.
Drug Commissioner Blienert emphasizes that counseling and help must also be guaranteed in the case of addictions, just as in the case of a bone fracture or cancer treatment. “Drug classrooms, street social work, drug checks: all this is urgently needed to provide adequate responses to the crack problem in our cities.”
Unfortunately in some places, especially in consumer sectors, ideological roadblocks stand in the way of effective help. “For me it is still absurd that some countries continue to block this measure and this path,” says Blienert.
Offers of help are distributed very unevenly throughout Germany. According to the federal government, there are around 30 drinking establishments in 17 cities in eight federal states. This means that half of the states, for example Bavaria, do not have these facilities. In Frankfurt, where there are already four rooms, another facility is planned that will be specifically adapted to the needs of crack addicts.
“We municipalities cannot tackle the problem alone,” says Frankfurt department head Elke Voitl: “We need money. In the banking city on the Main, there is discussion about the fact that, according to a survey, half of the consumers in the establishments do not come from not from Frankfurt at all but from other municipalities in Hesse and from other federal states, especially Bavaria. Some even come from abroad. “In the long term, we in Frankfurt will not be able to provide this help on behalf of the entire country, that is absolutely clear.”
How can treatment strategies for crack cocaine addiction be improved in light of rising usage rates?
Interview between Time.news Editor (E) and Heino Stöver, Addiction Research Expert (S)
E: Welcome, Heino Stöver, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the rising concern of crack cocaine usage in German cities. Your recent observations have highlighted a troubling trend. Could you elaborate on the current situation with crack cocaine in Germany?
S: Thank you for having me. Indeed, the spread of crack cocaine has become a significant issue, not only in Frankfurt but across numerous major cities in Germany. Over the past seven or eight years, we’ve observed a dramatic increase. Cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, and even Munich are experiencing a rise in use that is quite alarming.
E: That sounds distressing. What do you think is contributing to this rapid increase in crack usage?
S: Several factors play a role. Firstly, the production of crack involves mixing cocaine with baking soda and smoking it, which creates a very intense and immediate high. This process is not new, but the sheer volume of cocaine being trafficked has exploded. For instance, around 43 tonnes of cocaine were seized in 2023, which is more than double the amount from the previous year. This availability undoubtedly fuels crack’s popularity.
E: You mentioned the effects of crack cocaine—can you elaborate on what makes it particularly addictive and dangerous?
S: Certainly. Crack cocaine provides an overwhelming euphoria, described by users as “an ICE train through the brain.” This pleasure is short-lived, and as it fades, users often experience intense dysphoria, driving them to seek more of the drug quickly. This cycle of euphoria followed by severe lows can lead to a very rapid deterioration in a person’s health and quality of life.
E: It sounds like the impact on individuals can be severe. What are some broader societal implications of this rise in crack cocaine usage?
S: We are indeed witnessing worsening social consequences. The presence of crack leads to open drug scenes that are not only visible but also create distress within communities. Users often neglect their basic needs, leading to heightened poverty and homelessness, which in turn fosters conflicts in public spaces. For instance, we’ve seen the train station district in Frankfurt transform due to rampant crack use.
E: With the rise comes the need for effective management of the situation. What are the current approaches to helping those affected?
S: Traditional abstinence programs prove challenging because there is no pharmacological equivalent to assist crack users, as there is with methadone for heroin addiction. Many users are concurrently addicted to other substances like heroin, which complicates treatment. Our drug help services must now adapt to provide very low-threshold support for a clientele that is often in severe need and in a markedly different state than before.
E: So, it sounds like there’s a pressing need for new strategies in addiction treatment. What do you think should be done moving forward?
S: We need an urgent reevaluation of our strategies. This involves overcoming ideological blocks that currently hinder effective intervention measures. A more compassionate and adaptive approach is necessary, one that recognizes the unique challenges of crack users. Collaborating with various sectors—from health to social services—will be crucial in establishing a comprehensive support system.
E: Thank you, Heino, for sharing your insights today. It’s evident that the situation regarding crack cocaine in Germany requires immediate and thoughtful attention. We hope that your expertise contributes to meaningful changes in addressing this crisis.
S: Thank you for bringing attention to this vital issue. It’s essential that we continue the dialog and implement practical solutions to combat the growing challenges we are facing.