A new drop-in centre for drug users is planned for Luxembourg City’s Hollerich district, a city councillor has said.
The two-storey facility on Rue de Hollerich aims to reduce pressure on the existing Kontakt 28 drop-in centre on the nearby Rue de Strasbourg, Alderwoman Corinne Cahen (DP) told a meeting of Luxembourg City Council on Monday.
The youth and drug support service Fondation Jugend- an Drogenhëllef, which manages the existing Kontakt 28 site on Rue de Strasbourg, will be responsible for developing the new centre in co-operation with the city council, Cahen said, as well as expanding its existing premises, where opening hours will be extended.
The plans for the Rue de Hollerich venue include consumption rooms for inhaling drugs, quiet areas, a meeting café, as well as showers and toilets.
“The aim of this project is to relieve the pressure on Rue de Strasbourg and the surrounding streets,” Cahen said.
With this project, the city is responding to an urgent need: the existing Kontakt 28 drop-in centre has been operating at full capacity for some time. The new facility is intended not only to create additional places but also to help relieve pressure on public spaces and shift drug use more towards protected premises.
“At the moment, they [Kontakt 28 on Rue de Strasbourg] cannot accept any new users because they are simply overburdened,” explained Cahen.
One of the main problems in the Gare district, but also in Bonnevoie and other parts of the city, is that many addicts consume their drugs in building entrances. “The aim is to provide them with a safe space, so to speak, so that they can consume without having to do so on the open street.”
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The latest plans were discussed during Monday’s meeting after déi Gréng councillor Christa Brömmel asked for an update on the implementation of the national action plan on drugs, Drogendësch 2.0, unveiled almost exactly a year ago by Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden (CSV).
“Combating drug-related crime is one of the government’s top priorities. […] At the same time, we want to provide greater support to people in distress,” Gloden said at the time of the launch. “We want to give the residents their neighbourhood back,” he added.
Expansion of existing services
In addition to the new facility announced on Monday, Cahen – the alderwoman responsible for social action – presented further projects and measures, some of which have already been implemented, such as extended opening hours at day centres for the homeless.
Also under construction is a new shelter on Route d’Eich with 20 beds and facilities for medical and social care.
New infrastructure is additionally planned for the Abrigado drug rehabilitation center: a temporary building is to be constructed on the current site by the end of 2027, before the permanent new building follows.
A housing project comprising twelve residential units on Rue Baudouin has already been unanimously approved. Furthermore, a Maison de substitution (substitution therapy center) is planned for Rue Englebert Neveu, which will house all services related to drug replacement therapy. “It is important to guarantee the anonymity of the users. Medical care and psychosocial support will also be provided there,” Cahen explained.
A planned social laundry facility on Rue Dernier Sol is to be built in collaboration with Inter-Actions and with financial support from the Ministry of Family Affairs. The container facility will include showers, toilets and washing machines.
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Alongside the support measures and new infrastructure, the council is continuining to invest in security, the meeting heard. Security services will be expanded, particularly at the school and the Centre sociétaire et sportif in the Gare district, but also in the Upper Town. CCTV surveillance is also to be expanded, primarily in the Gare district and in Bonnevoie.
(This article was originally published by the Luxemburger Wort. Translated using AI, with editing and adaptation by John Monaghan)
