A year ago, the measures of the Geneva crack plan began to be deployed. To date, the situation seems under control for the authorities, but this feeling is not shared by the local residents affected by this crack crisis.
Adopted in October 2023, the State Council’s crack plan is planned for three years. After a year, the situation stabilized, but at a high level according to several policies and associations. The number of consumers is large, but it has stopped increasing.
For local residents interviewed by RTS, the plan is far from sufficient. They are counting on the future consumption premises, an annex to that of Quai 9, planned in the crack plan. But the work was several months late.
To date, a provisional annex has been put together. “This avoids making visible [la consommation] and protect the neighborhood”, estimates Thomas Herquel, director of the Première Ligne Association, which aims to reduce the risks linked to psychoactive substances.
>> On the subject: The action plan against crack is already taking effect in Geneva
Difficult cohabitation
In the Grottes district, near the station, crack has complicated the relationship between residents and users. “Crack is an exciting product. Users no longer sleep or eat, which can make them aggressive,” explains Thomas Herque. Some traders even had to close their shops.
We will not be able to calm the effects of this addiction. It’s going to be very difficult to offer anything other than emergency services
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As planned in the package of measures, twelve police officers are dedicated to crack. In 2024 in Geneva, more than half of drug-related operations involved this drug. “The idea is not to chase away consumers, but to ensure that citizens can use public spaces safely,” explains Carole-Anne Kast, socialist state councilor.
Currently, there are no plans to open more accommodation places than those in the crack plan. “As long as we cannot calm the effects of this addiction, it will be very difficult to do anything other than urgently,” adds the State Councilor.
The authorities want to take stock of the effects of the entire plan before adjusting the measures.
TV topic: Céline Argento
Web adaptation: Raphaël Dubois
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