In Munich the response to a visibly growing crack scene is once again the subject of political debate. According to consistent reports and statements from the authorities on 10 November 2026, the state capital is pursuing a package of measures combining an increased presence in sensitive areas with expanded low-threshold support. The federal government has also announced closer professional coordination for affected cities.
The Munich Police Headquarters reports more operations and proceedings involving cocaine and crack. Counselling centres and street outreach teams are also seeing greater demand for emergency support and stabilisation. The City of Munich points to existing services provided by addiction counselling services and the public health department, but makes clear that capacity is reaching its limits as demand rises sharply.
Two strands are central to the city's approach: first, a highly visible, rapid-response public-order component – for example, targeted checks, a police presence at known gathering spots and moving people on from particularly sensitive locations. Second, a health-focused approach – with expanded access to contact and counselling services, mobile social work, assessment and consideration of whether, and how, drug consumption roommodels for inhaled drug use could be implemented lawfully and in practice. Specialist agencies stress that repression alone does not sustainably reduce health risks or acquisitive crime; prevention, access to substitution treatment and withdrawal services, and reliable pathways into support and housing are needed.
The federal government is supporting the debate: according to information from people close to the Federal Government's Drug Commissioner, a coordination initiative has been under way since autumn 2026 to systematically share experience between local authorities, federal states and support providers, and to make the effectiveness of measures comparable. In the short term, this means better coordination in Munich between the police, public health department and addiction support services, as well as additional resources for low-threshold services, for example at Drogennotdienst L43. In the medium to long term, the city must clarify with the Free State of Bavaria Bavaria and the federal government what legal scope there is for consumption rooms and associated support services.
Specific, regularly updated figures on the crack situation are recorded in municipal security reports and police situation reports; according to the authorities, they show that the issue is becoming increasingly significant. Decisions on new arrangements – from expanding addiction counselling to possible pilot projects – now rest with the relevant bodies in Munich and at state level. The impact of individual measures can only be forecast once reliable data have been analysed.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).