New addiction center in Frankfurt: Controversial decision after debate!

New addiction center in Frankfurt: Controversial decision after debate!

A new addiction help center for crack addicts is being established in Frankfurt, the largest of its kind in Germany. This project is taking concrete shape after the city council approved the magistrate's application with 54 votes to 34. The decision came after hours of heated debate and the submission of eight additional proposals. The new center will be located at Niddastrasse 76, not far from Frankfurt Central Station, and will provide a protected space for those affected. [mainpost] reports that the planned costs for the acquisition and renovation of the property are around 11.7 million euros.

The concept of the center is to not only offer users overnight accommodation and consumption rooms, but also to guarantee access to medical, social and psychiatric care. Social affairs officer Elke Voitl (Greens) described the approach as “unique in the world” and emphasized the importance of such a social institution for coexistence in the city.

Controversies in the city council

The debate about the center was not only characterized by different opinions within the political coalition (SPD, Greens, Volt, FDP), but also caused criticism of the proposal by Mayor Mike Josef (SPD). This originally stipulated that only drug addicts in Frankfurt would be entitled to help and those from outside would only be given emergency care. His proposal was rejected by the majority of city councilors as inhumane and populist; only the AfD supported the idea.

According to [hessenschau], pro and con positions have emerged across the parties, but there has been no break within the coalition. Among the critics of the project are residents and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), who fear possible negative effects on the station district. The FDP expresses concerns that the facility could create an increased pull on drug users from other regions.

Construction and opening of the center

The new addiction help center is scheduled to be set up in the third quarter of 2026. The renovation of the property is expected to take nine months. Construction work is expected to begin in the coming months, although the exact start date is still unclear. The project is considered necessary to improve the situation for drug addicts in the city and promote their integration.