Berlin – The future of the substitution clinic for heroin addicts in Kreuzberg remains uncertain. The practice of the sponsoring association “Notdienst Berlin eV” has to give up its premises on Kochstrasse. A new location has not yet been found. We are talking about a 3000 square meter site at Anhalter Bahnhof, which the administration of Senator for Social Affairs Elke Breitenbach (left) would like to mediate. The association is in contact with Berliner Immobilienmanagement GmbH (BIM) to check whether containers can be built on the site. It would only be a temporary solution.
Outpatient clinic for heroin addicts: criticism of the Berlin Senate
The ambulance on Kochstrasse has to close on December 31st. Then the lease with the Malteser Foundation finally expires. Originally it would have ended at the end of November, but the sponsoring association received a postponement. Since the termination at the beginning of the year, the search for a new quarter has been going on, which is proving to be very difficult on the tense Berlin real estate market. Those responsible around managing director Michael Frommhold criticize the Senate administration. Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD) has not responded to inquiries during the past nine months, it is said. Kalayci announced at a press conference on Tuesday that she had “no room”. She found the accusation of inactivity “not helpful”.
For two decades, the outpatient clinic near Checkpoint Charlie has been the contact point for heroin addicts who are given substitution drugs. Three doctors and eight social workers are on duty there. The homepage says that in practice lives would be saved, infectious diseases treated, drug-related crime reduced, social reintegration promoted. How much longer is uncertain.
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