Neustrelitz as a drug hotspot: Alarming wastewater analyzes reveal facts!

Neustrelitz as a drug hotspot: Alarming wastewater analyzes reveal facts!

A look into the wastewater recently revealed worrying drug residues in Neustrelitz. According to a study by the Technical University of Dresden, the city ranks second in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for amphetamines, surpassed only by Neubrandenburg. Mayor Andreas Grund (independent) draws attention to a serious drug problem in the northeast: one in nine people is said to be affected. Amphetamines, often also called speed, top the list of illegal drugs in Neustrelitz and Neubrandenburg, followed by cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy). These gloomy figures were also announced by Nordkurier.

But what exactly do the numbers look like? Neustrelitz recorded about 211 micrograms of cocaine in wastewater, which is higher than the 159 micrograms in Neubrandenburg. Interestingly, levels of ketamine, also known as “vitamin K,” have increased slightly compared to last year, while amphetamine levels have shown a slight decrease. Nevertheless, the consumption of these drugs remains at a high level, warns settlement hydrologist Björn Helm from the Technical University of Dresden. Despite the decline in drug levels in wastewater, the situation remains tense and an all-clear is not yet in sight.

Prevention measures on the agenda

In view of these alarming developments, it is clear that countermeasures must be taken. The city council is planning various prevention programs to reduce drug residues and educate the population, especially young people, about the dangers of intoxicants. The state has made available 288,000 euros to invest more in school and youth work over two years. The focus is on distributing information flyers and workshops in schools and youth clubs.

The committee chairman Thomas Hildebrandt (SPD) and social educator Valentin Lunkenheimer (CDU/FDP) expressed concern about the health consequences of drug abuse and advocated greater involvement of school social work. In a high school with over 1,000 students, like the Carolinum, the urgency of such a measure becomes clear. City representative Stella Schüssler (Greens) suggests inviting relevant stakeholders such as school principals and TU employees to future committee meetings in order to develop solutions.

The role of major events

Initial suspicions that large events such as the Fusion or Immergut Festival were responsible for the high drug levels were also made. One thing is certain: the problem surrounding drugs and consumer behavior is complex and cannot be traced back to a single factor. Mayor Grund nevertheless emphasizes the special duty of care that the city has towards its young people. It is obvious that it is not just teenagers who are affected; Adults also use drugs, which makes the challenge of education even greater.

In summary, the wastewater analyzes in Neustrelitz are not only an urgent alarm call, but also an impetus for discussion about the sense and nonsense of drug policy and prevention in the 21st century. Regular wastewater measurements should be part of a comprehensive strategy to monitor both drug use and the effectiveness of the measures taken. The coming months could be crucial in this regard, not only for Neustrelitz, but also for other cities facing similar challenges.