Horror park in Neukölln: Residents demand immediate help against drug chaos

Horror park in Neukölln: Residents demand immediate help against drug chaos

The Anita Berber Park in Neukölln has developed into a hotspot for drug use. Residents on Leinestrasse report unbearable conditions, characterized by noise, stench and open fires almost around the clock. This situation has worsened significantly in recent months, prompting residents to voice their concerns in discussions with politicians and those responsible. Despite these discussions, the mood of the residents remains pessimistic as they see little hope for improvement Berlin newspaper reported.

An official drug scene has been established in Neukölln's Körnerkiez, which continues to thrive in Anita-Berber-Park. In addition, there are ongoing problems with illegal dumping of waste, which further deteriorates the cityscape. For this reason, residents have submitted a resident application to the district council. They are urgently calling for structural emergency measures that focus on “cleanliness, safety and addiction support,” like this Daily Mirror reported.

Local residents' initiatives

The residents' initiative was founded in April after several cases of daycare children coming into contact with used drug syringes became known. The goal of this initiative is to collect 1,000 signatures by mid-September in order to submit an application to district politics. Signature lists will be available in various shops in the neighborhood until September 10th. In addition, residents are demanding more frequent cleaning of the area, more trash cans, effective bulky waste collection and better funding for green maintenance and cleaning services.

Another central point of the demands is the establishment of additional mobile and stationary drug consumption rooms, especially near Anita Berber Park. The residents pointed out that a city-wide strategy was necessary to deal with social problems. According to them, this is a “social and health crisis” that requires coordinated responses.

A look at other cities

A comparison with other cities shows how differently the drug problem is dealt with. Frankfurt, for example, is considered a model example of a successful urban drug policy. The city took various measures in the 1990s to help drug addicts and improve living conditions. The Reporting from Spectrum highlights that at that time a drug scene in the Taunusanlage was broken up and the first consumption room finally opened in Frankfurt. These measures aim to reduce harm and improve living conditions for addicts.

However, the budget situation in Berlin is tense. It was recently announced that the Senate has cut six million euros in the already underfunded green maintenance. This fact raises questions as to how seriously the city will implement the urgently needed measures to improve the situation in Neukölln's Körnerkiez. The district is faced with the challenge of addressing these complex problems and finding solutions that do justice to both residents and those affected.