Munich joins national effort to address rising crack use

Munich is joining a federal, state and municipal initiative to find ways to curb the spread of crack as use rises across Germany, BR reports.

Crack, a form of cocaine that is smoked, can quickly lead to dependence and seriously damage users’ health. The drug’s growing use is a particular challenge for local authorities. Munich’s health department head, Beatrix Zurek, said consumption in the city had risen sharply but remained below levels seen in some northern German cities.

The increase is evident at L43, a drug support service on Landwehrstrasse. The service distributes clean crack pipes to reduce the risk of infection and surveys clients. It gave out about 400 pipes in 2022; it now distributes between 300 and 320 a month, social worker Andi Berger said.

The service aims to help people stay safer and provide a place to rest, rather than requiring them to seek treatment or stop using drugs. Clients pay a small amount for the pipes. Drug use and dealing are prohibited inside, and some clients go to nearby Nussbaum Park to use drugs.

Federal drug commissioner Hendrik Streeck said there was no good solution yet to the sharp rise in crack use. He called for more frequent meetings between federal, state and local officials, and closer cooperation among homelessness services, addiction support, police and public order offices.

Bavaria currently bans supervised drug consumption rooms, unlike some other states, while Zurek supports them. She hopes the discussions will prompt the state to reconsider and allow a pilot project in Munich.