Federal government sees drug problem in Germany

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) are warning of a new " drug crisis " in Germany. "We are seeing a boom in cocaine, crack, and synthetic drugs. Highly potent drugs are more readily available today than ever before," Streeck said in Wiesbaden.

Cocaine consumption "in the middle of society"

Consumers are getting younger and more willing to experiment. Drug trafficking is increasingly taking place online. There are more young drug-related deaths. Young people are using more than before. Cocaine use is "no longer a fringe phenomenon" but "has become mainstream." There are also increasing signs of an " emerging opioid crisis ."

Streeck called for more international cooperation between security authorities and the police. At the same time, more easily accessible assistance and prevention services are needed. "Only by taking a holistic approach can we prevent this current development from developing into a new drug crisis."

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced tough legal action against smugglers, producers, and dealers. The state is determined to ward off a major threat to "our children, our society, and our constitutional state." He also pointed out that drug trafficking represents the main area of ​​organized crime in Germany .

"A truly harmful law"

The Federal Minister of the Interior sharply criticized the law on the partial legalization of cannabis passed under the previous government. In his view, this is "a truly harmful law for our society," Dobrindt said. Someone who used to have 25 grams of cannabis in their pocket was a dealer. "They are still a dealer today, but we no longer treat them that way." This, he said, "opens the door wide" to criminal drug trafficking.

The head of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Münch, pointed out that drug suppliers are "constantly adapting" their methods when delivering via seaports or dropping cocaine packages offshore. They are "highly innovative" in this regard, even using smaller ports or submarines to pick up the goods.

2137 drug deaths in Germany

The Federal Criminal Police Office's annual drug report records exactly 2,137 drug-related deaths for 2024. While this represents a four percent decrease compared to the previous year, the number of drug-related deaths among young people under the age of 30 increased by 14 percent. Authorities estimate the total number of drug-related offenses at 228,000. This represents a decrease of one-third compared to 2023. However, the decline in the number of cases is due to the partial legalization of cannabis consumption, they say. Investigators discovered 37 illegal drug production sites in Germany in 2024.

According to statistics, the consumption of synthetic drugs is rising sharply. Ecstasy/MDMA consumption has doubled, methamphetamine has increased by 13 percent, and amphetamine by eight percent.

Last year, 32 people died as a result of the use of artificial opioids, compared to only four in 2023.

haz/se (kna, epd, dpa, afp)