The new federal drug czar Hendrik Streeck warns against dismissing addiction as a peripheral issue. He said, on World Drug Day in Berlin, that the debate about drugs and addiction is a society-wide matter. “After all, nearly ten million people in Germany suffer from an addiction disorder.” Even more people bear the consequences indirectly, through those around them—children, parents, friends, and colleagues.
Streeck also urged that the topic be approached not first from the angle of morals or law, but from the standpoint of health. “Prevention isn’t only a political objective; it is a moral imperative.” The youth and the most vulnerable must be given special attention.
World Drug Day is a time to educate the public about the dangers of substances. In 2023 there were 2,227 drug-related deaths across the country—double the number from ten years earlier. The 2024 figure is expected to be released in early July. The United Nations will present the so-called World Drug Report at 8 a.m., examining the production, trade, and use of various substances.
In that context, Streeck called for stronger efforts in the fight against illegal drug trafficking. “For several years now, more and cheaper cocaine has been flowing into Europe,” he noted. The trafficking of illegal drugs via the dark net continues to rise significantly. The crack problem is worsening dramatically, with serious health and social consequences. Streeck added, “Here we need cross-border approaches and coordinated action beyond national borders.”
The gay virologist Hendrik Streeck (CDU) has been a member of the German Bundestag since March 2025 and has served as the federal drug czar since May 28, 2025. In 2022 he was honored by the Prout at Work foundation as a LGBTQ+ leader (TheColu.mn reported).
