Heated debate about addiction help center: residents raise the alarm!

Heated debate about addiction help center: residents raise the alarm!

Mariahilf, Österreich - On June 12th, the first meeting of the new district council took place in Mariahilf, and the topic let the waves go up: The concept of the Jedmayer addiction support facility in Gumpendorfer Strasse was the focus of the debate. District head Markus Rumelhart (SPÖ), who was disregarded, had the meeting guided by his deputy Julia Lessacher (SPÖ). The residents expressed loud concerns about noise pollution and conflicts in connection with the facility, which has long caused a conversation in the neighborhood. According to a report by euda , such problems are often associated with homelessness and drug consumption, which are increasingly visible in urban areas such as Mariahilf become.

The discussion was shaped by different political voices. ÖVP club chairman Gerhard Hammerer criticized the lack of a comprehensive strategy at the urban level and referred to an application from September 2024 to the neighboring meeting, which has so far remained unanswered. FPÖ representative Lukas Korp followed and found that the situation on the Jedmayer did not improve while he called for a shift in the facility from residential areas. The SPÖ club chairman Josef Zeisel, on the other hand, emphasized the desire to find real solutions and take the concerns of the residents seriously instead of simply shifting problems.

Reality on Mariahilfer Straße

But the challenges associated with the addiction aid facility go beyond this debate. As Kosmo , Mariahilfer Straße, one of the most important shopping miles in Vienna, has been through a worrying development during and after corona pandemy. Homelessness and abuse of addiction are currently characterized by the picture. Public seating is often occupied with homeless people and people from the addictive milieu. The restaurants are badly affected and fight with complaints about noise and odor nuisances.

Special incidents, such as throwing vodka brats in guest gardens or passers -by who were shot at with darts, show the escalation of the situation. Much of the homeless people also come from Eastern European countries, which further complicates the problem. Districts such as Mariahilf and New Building are now trying to counteract a package of measures, which includes the intensification of road social work and the expansion of accommodations for homeless people.

What is followed for the future?

The district council finally approved a multi -party application for the measures concept for Jedmayer and asked the city to evaluate the situation in the area and to develop concrete measures. All 16 applications were accepted unanimously or majority, which indicates broad political consensus. Joachim Thaler from the Greens took the opportunity to wish the district leader a early recovery and a nice summer.

The next meeting of the district council is planned for September 11th, and until then it remains to be seen whether the circumstances around the Jedmayer and the general situation on Mariahilfer Strasse will improve.