Drug use in one of Germany's richest cities: Can Frankfurt cope? | DW Reporter

Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel: Can the “Frankfurt Way” Keep Up?

Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel is an open-air drug scene beside the city’s banking district. The report examines whether the city’s long-standing, relatively liberal approach to drug use can meet changing needs.

Outreach and Support

Mohamed “Mo” Bousaaidi says he once dealt drugs in the district. Now, through M069, he works with a large volunteer team to build relationships with people experiencing addiction, distribute supplies, and encourage them to seek detox and rehabilitation. He says others helped him in his own recovery.

Mo is particularly concerned that people using drugs are getting younger. He is trying to support a 14-year-old who uses crack.

People Mo helps value the trust and flexibility volunteers can offer. However, Frankfurt’s drug-affairs chief, Annika Funke, cautions that volunteers cannot replace qualified, continuous professional services. The report presents Mo’s work as a complement to those services.

The “Frankfurt Way”

After drug-related deaths peaked at 147 in the early 1990s, Frankfurt shifted toward assistance rather than relying mainly on repression. Deaths later fell to around 20–30 a year.

A supervised consumption room handles roughly 200–300 visits each day. It provides clean equipment, responds to overdoses, and can connect people with further help.

Pressure on the Neighborhood

Local butcher Jutta Even describes the effects of the drug scene on businesses and residents, including noise, public urination, and theft. She argues that care is scattered across too many services and that some people need more intensive or inpatient support.

A Changing Drug Scene

Crack’s short, stimulating effects have made consumption more frequent and visible. The city says the “Frankfurt Way” has always evolved and is planning a center that would combine safe consumption spaces, medical care, and beds.

Officials also report signs of increased fentanyl use outside consumption rooms. Fentanyl is estimated to account for 3.7% of drug use.

Outreach and Its Limits

Mo’s team tries to protect women with addiction who engage in sex work. In one intervention, team members confront suspected clients during a TikTok livestream. The report notes that this could also cut off a source of income; police are not involved in the confrontation shown.

A Possible Turning Point

Eddie, who says he has spent 37 years in the district, tells Mo he wants to leave drugs and the hotel room provided by the city for a clean break. After filming, Mo continued helping him seek a place in rehabilitation.

Presenters and Contributors

The reporter and presenter are not named in the subtitles. Named contributors are Mohamed “Mo” Bousaaidi, Eddie, Laura, Annika Funke, Andreas Germer, Jutta Even, and Yasmina.