Germany faces a looming opioid crisis and the nation’s preparations are woefully inadequate, warns Hendrik Streeck, the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs. In a stark assessment published in the “Tagesspiegel” Streeck underscored the disconnect between substantial state spending on various sectors and the chronic underfunding of addiction services. He characterized the current system as unsustainable, with many support organizations dependent on short-term project funding due to the lack of a legally mandated obligation for addiction assistance.
The Commissioner’s alarm comes against a backdrop of a dramatic surge in drug-related fatalities, doubling over the last decade. This, he argues, necessitates a significant overhaul of Germany’s approach to drug policy, advocating for a “comprehensive, ambitious and integrated drug strategy.
Streeck’s criticism extends beyond mere funding, pointing towards systemic failures in coordination. He emphasized the need for improved synchronization between government ministries and a more robust partnership between the federal government and the individual states (Länder). A key element of this revamped strategy, he proposed, is the establishment of a nationwide monitoring and early warning system. This system would connect emergency services, law enforcement and addiction support organizations, providing timely information about the circulation of dangerous substances.
The absence of such a system, Streeck argues, hinders effective responses and inefficient resource allocation, leaving Germany vulnerable to a crisis that could rapidly escalate. His call to action highlights a crucial gap between political priorities and the critical need for a sustainable and proactively managed public health response to the evolving drug landscape. The situation, he suggests, demands immediate and substantial investment, not just in funding, but in fundamentally restructuring Germany’s approach to drug policy and substance abuse support.
