Germany Faces Rising Drug Crisis as Officials Warn of Surge in Hard Narcotics
Germany is sounding the alarm over a worsening drug crisis. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) chief Holger Münch, and Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck have warned that hard narcotics are spreading rapidly across the country.
At the presentation of two new reports on organised crime and drug trafficking, Dobrindt declared: «We have a massive drug problem in Germany.» He pointed to a clear trend towards stronger substances, noting that trade in ecstasy, crystal meth and cocaine rose by double-digit percentages in 2024. Over the past five years, cocaine-related offences alone have increased by nearly 45%.
Organised Crime Recruiting Youths
Dobrindt stressed that organised crime and the drug trade are tightly linked, adding that criminal gangs are increasingly recruiting young people. Although the total number of recorded drug offences fell by 34% to 228,104 cases in 2024, he said this decline was misleading, a «statistical distortion» caused by the partial legalisation of cannabis.
Because the coalition government legalised limited use and possession of cannabis, such cases are no longer counted as drug crimes, Dobrindt explained.
Dobrindt Slams Cannabis Law
The interior minister launched a fierce attack on the previous coalition — known as the «traffic light» government — over its cannabis reform, calling it «a terrible law, if you ask me». He said it was «damaging to society, to children and to the rule of law», and argued that it had opened the door to illegal drug trade and criminal activity.
Experts are currently assessing the reform’s impact under an agreement between the SPD and the CDU/CSU, with a final evaluation expected by 2028. A preliminary report was released in September 2025.
SPD Rejects Dobrindt’s Criticism
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) sharply rejected Dobrindt’s remarks. Christos Pantazis, the SPD’s health policy spokesperson, criticised the minister’s use of language, telling Bild:
«Such verbal outbursts should not become the norm among coalition partners, especially from a federal minister. Mr Dobrindt has disqualified himself and should apologise for this.»
Pantazis defended the cannabis reform as a «paradigm shift in health policy», saying it focuses on health protection, addiction prevention and youth safety rather than criminalisation. He noted that the initial review showed positive effects, including a decline in black-market activity and fewer legal investigations.
Rising Deaths Among Young Drug Users
Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck also raised concern about the spread of hard, illegal substances such as crack and fentanyl.
«We are seeing more mixed consumption than ever before — four, five or even six substances at once,» he said. «The number of drug-related deaths among people under 30 has risen by 14%. Young people are using more than they used to.»
BKA President Holger Münch warned that smugglers are constantly adapting their methods. More traffickers are now using smaller ports in France and Spain to bypass tighter controls in major German and Dutch harbours.
He cautioned that criminal networks pose «a significant threat» because they use «violence and corruption to influence social structures».
Germany’s leadership now faces a growing debate over whether its drug policies — particularly the cannabis reform — have improved public health or contributed to a new wave of narcotics-driven crime.
