Zoff for drug consumption: politicians argue about Cologne Kaufhof headquarters!

Zoff for drug consumption: politicians argue about Cologne Kaufhof headquarters!

in Cologne is currently being discussed violently about the future of drug consumption space on Neumarkt. The Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns called for the closure of the existing consumer space. The reason for this is the rapidly spreading crack consumption that has transformed the city into a drug hotspot. The last data show that Cologne in particular is affected by a strong increase in crack dependencies, which exacerbates the situation at the Neumarkt. According to ZDF , this has not only developed into a center of the drug scene, but also increasing public problems such as begging and procurement crime.

The discussion about a new consumer room in the former Kaufhof headquarters on Leonhard-Tatetz-Straße forces Cologne politics to act. A model inspired from Zurich is up for debate. With this Zurich model, the trade of the smallest quantities is tolerated in consumption rooms. Experts describe Crack as a "game channel"; Consumers often only linger briefly in such facilities, which can make better care from social workers difficult, according to the experiences in other cities. It could therefore make sense to focus on several consumer spaces through Cologne and a closer cooperation with experts.

Politics in Zoff

The proposal to use the vacant Kaufhof headquarters as a new location for the consumer room provides different opinions among the political parties in the city. Greens, the SPD and the Left support the idea, while the CDU and FDP urge the extensive shift of new consumption rooms from inner -city areas and emphasize the need for medical aid and social work. Bernd Petelkau, the CDU parliamentary group leader, emphasizes that the legal framework and social consequences must be carefully checked. The SPD is behind the project, but demands a previous change in the law. The left, on the other hand, pleads for pragmatic handling and a "Cologne solution".

The head of the existing drug consumption room on Neumarkt, Stefan Lehmann, describes the need for such spaces as essential to avoid distortion and death. Sterile utensils are provided in its area and emergency medical care and social help are held. However, critics argue that these measures can lead to getting used to drug use, as is repeatedly emphasized in numerous reports.

challenge and solution

The city rented the Kaufhof property by 2045, but blockages in the conversion plans have arisen due to high costs and poor transparency. Meanwhile, an addiction aid center for crack-dependent is planned in Frankfurt, which is intended to support the development of a comprehensive offer for addicts.

In view of the current challenges, Dr. Harald Rau, the social head of Cologne, a constructive handling of addiction problems. The goal remains to get dependent from illegality and to offer them the opportunity for social integration, similar to the successful Zurich model, where there have been no major open drug scenes for 30 years.

The debate about drug consumption space is of great importance for the city of Cologne, not least to ensure good cooperation in society and to offer dependent a realistic opportunity for improvement.