Overview

• Cocaine is now the most commonly consumed illegal drug in Germany, with usage rates and treatment cases significantly rising in recent years.
• Authorities seized 43 tons of cocaine in 2023, more than double the amount from the previous year, underscoring a surge in drug trafficking.
• Crack cocaine is creating severe health and social challenges in urban areas, with experts warning of its rapid addictiveness and visible impact on users' well-being.
• Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are an emerging concern, with reports of rising fatalities linked to their use or mixing with other substances.
• Calls for stronger support systems, including drug consumption rooms and faster toxicological analyses, are growing as addiction services face funding shortages.