Drug scene shifted to Ehrenfeld: Citizens on alert!

Drug scene shifted to Ehrenfeld: Citizens on alert!

in Ehrenfeld, a district of Cologne, grows from residents by relocating the drug scene. Reports of unpleasant harassment from drug-suffering and homeless people around the main entrance of the St. Joseph Church are piling up. In particular, the smell of urine and faeces, which is settled in the niches of the church wall, is a constant companion for the residents of the area. These grievances have been an issue for several months and are causing great difficulties for the fields of honor. Residents suspect that the increased controls in the city center are driving the drug scene to Ehrenfeld.

The focusing focuses on are primarily the entrances to a supermarket and the Sparkasse on Venloer Straße and the subway station "Körnerstraße". Many residents do not want to stir up a negative mood against the drug addicts and homeless people, since they recognize the health problems of those affected. A city spokeswoman confirmed the relocation and explained that she was due to a pilot project that has been active since mid -March. This focuses on mixed strips from the police, KVB security forces and the regulatory office in order to specifically address drug-suffering and homeless people and to drive away from the dark corners.

The role of the pilot project

As part of the pilot project, warnings or advertisements should be pronounced for violations. This is met with mixed resonance, especially among residents and business people who complain about public drug use and dealing. The Streetworkers of the Outlive Addiction Clearing (ASC) are now increasingly deployed in Ehrenfeld, several times a week to provide addicts to advice centers, medical care and residential projects. District Mayor Volker Spelthan has already received numerous citizens' inquiries about this situation.

Spelthann criticizes the “plate policy” of the city council and warns of the creation of a hotspot for dealers around the St. Joseph Church. It may already exist, because in his view, the situation has developed into a crack epidemic, which significantly affects the citizens' feeling of security. Interestingly, however, there are no evidence that violent clashes in this area have increased, according to the Catholic parish of St. Joseph, which above all sees the aggression among those affected.

approaches to improve the situation

The parish has signaled that it would like to work on sustainable solutions and, together with the Green Group in the district council, submitted an application for temporary toilets to the church. Spelthann also plans a public information event with representatives of the administration to inform the residents about possible procedures before the summer vacation. These developments are all the more important than causing significant health, social and economic problems in Germany, as the Federal Ministry of Health states in its reports.

After the epidemiological search for 2021, around 11.6 million people smoke, while around 1.6 million are alcohol -dependent and about 1.3 million people have problems with cannabis and illegal drugs. The development of effective prevention and help offers is therefore of the highest relevance in Cologne. The German main area of ​​addiction questions (DHS) supports information materials and assistance in order to pave the way into professional help systems.

It remains to be seen how the situation in Ehrenfeld will develop. Beauty, calm and living together should not fall by the wayside in Cologne's districts.