A growing number of people in North Rhine-Westphalia are requiring hospital treatment for cocaine use. Simultaneously, crime related to cocaine and crack in the region has tripled over the past decade, according to data compiled by 1LIVE.
Hagen, Cologne, and Dortmund recorded the highest rates of hospital admissions for cocaine per 100,000 inhabitants. More dramatic increases have been noted in Duisburg, where cases multiplied eightfold in ten years, and in Krefeld and Leverkusen, where they increased sevenfold. Herford is the sole exception, with its figures showing a decline.
Experts point to various factors contributing to the rise in hospitalizations. Barbara Schneider, Chief Physician in the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Department at LVR-Klinik in Cologne, suggests that the increased availability of the drug is a key driver. “The substance must always be available; otherwise, one cannot become dependent on it,” she stated.
Felix Strobach, Head of Youth Substance Abuse Counseling at Drogenhilfe Köln, observes a transformation in how the drug is consumed. He notes that cocaine is increasingly used as a “normal party drug” or, in many cases, a routine substance in daily life. Strobach also mentioned that consumers rarely seem to acknowledge the risks involved, noting, “Our perception is that many people approach this very carelessly. They assess it differently than other substances.”
Many users seek out cocaine for its euphoric effect, leading to intense positive experiences. Furthermore, they use it to cope with daily frustration and stress, a trend that counselors generally observe in relation to high performance pressure.
According to the Police Crime Statistics, released in April 2026, police recorded approximately 7,500 such crimes in 2025. This figure is three times higher than it was ten years prior. However, the statistics only cover cases that have been officially reported, and these numbers do not indicate whether those cases will ultimately result in a conviction. It is also possible that the rise in crime is linked to more intensive control measures and investigations by the authorities.
The 7,500 recorded offences encompass a variety of activities associated with cocaine and crack, including possession, trafficking, manufacturing, and smuggling. The sharpest increase in specific cocaine-related crimes occurred between 2022 and 2023, rising by 25 percent within a single year. The Regional Criminal Police Office in NRW attributes this development to several factors: increased police monitoring and the growing availability of cocaine.
