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 hazardous 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, frequently enough 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 exmaple: in a consumption place in the Kreuzberg district, in 2020, the percentage of crack among all drugs taken was 12%, as reported. last year, though, 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 frequently enough lose their apartment.”
This can be seen, such as, 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 tough 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, though, many drug addicts also use heroin in addition to crack. Methadone could thus at least contribute to stabilization.
drug Commissioner Blienert emphasizes that counseling and help must also be guaranteed in the case of addictions, 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.”
Unluckily 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 Länder, 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.”
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How does the rise in crack cocaine usage impact social issues in urban areas of Germany?
Interview: Understanding the Crack cocaine Crisis in Germany
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Heino stöver, professor of addiction research at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. We’re witnessing an alarming rise in crack cocaine usage in major German cities. Can you provide some insight into how this crisis has evolved over the past few years?
Heino Stöver: Thank you for having me.It’s true; crack cocaine usage has exploded across Germany in the last seven or eight years. While it was once confined to cities like Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Hanover, we now see it spreading to cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, Munich, and even Berlin. This widespread increase is indeed troubling.
Time.news Editor: What do you attribute to this rapid spread of crack cocaine?
Heino Stöver: Several factors are at play. First, the availability of the drug has surged—just look at the statistics. The federal Criminal Police Office reports that more than 43 tonnes of cocaine were seized in 2023, more than double the amount from the previous year. This influx makes it easier for users to access crack, which is derived from cocaine and is even more addictive.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned that crack has a high addiction potential. Can you elaborate on what makes it so perilous compared to other drugs?
Heino Stöver: Certainly.Crack is notably insidious as it provides an intense euphoria that users describe as “an ICE train through the brain.” However, that high is extremely short-lived—only a few minutes—before users crash into a state of dysphoria. This cycle creates a compelling drive to use again and again, leading to rapid addiction and a myriad of societal problems.
Time.news Editor: Raphael Schubert mentioned a significant spike in crack use in Berlin, where it constituted almost 60% of all drugs consumed in certain areas by last year. Could you provide some context on this trend?
Heino Stöver: Yes,that’s a striking statistic. The shift in drug consumption patterns is indicative of a larger issue.The Berlin example reflects a larger trend: as crack becomes more prevalent, we witness a corresponding rise in social issues like poverty and health crises. The consumption of crack is not just a personal problem; it manifests visibly in our streets and communities.
Time.news Editor: Given this pressing situation, what are some of the ideological blocks you reference that hinder effective aid measures?
Heino Stöver: Many times, political and social stigmas around drug use prevent the implementation of effective harm reduction strategies. There’s a hesitance to create safe consumption spaces or support programs because they are often seen as enabling drug use rather than addressing it as a public health issue. We need to shift our approach to view addiction through a lens of compassion and understanding,rather than judgment.
Time.news Editor: What do you envision as a potential path forward for addressing this crack crisis?
Heino Stöver: An integrated strategy that combines law enforcement wiht a strong emphasis on public health is essential. We need to provide resources for addiction treatment, education, and harm reduction initiatives. Openness and collaboration among government bodies, health professionals, and community organizations can pave the way for lasting change.
Time.news Editor: This is a significant challenge. How can the public contribute to raising awareness and pushing for effective measures?
Heino Stöver: education is a powerful tool. The more people understand the realities of addiction and the societal implications of drug use, the more likely they are to support compassionate policies. Grassroots movements can also play a key role in influencing policy changes and advocating for the necessary resources.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Heino Stöver, for this insightful discussion.It’s clear that addressing the crack cocaine crisis in Germany requires a multifaceted approach and a shift in our perceptions of addiction.
Heino Stöver: Thank you for having me. It’s a complex issue, but with awareness and proactive measures, we can certainly work towards solutions that promote healing in our communities.
