Day of Remembrance for Deceased Drug Users: Mainz Strengthens Drug Treatment Services
On July 21, the state capital of Mainz held a memorial event at and around the Café BALANCE drug treatment center to honor those who have died as a result of their drug use. Together with those affected, their loved ones, and professionals, Jana Schmöller, Commissioner for Social Affairs, Children, Youth, and Health, paid tribute to the deceased. At the same time, the event highlighted the importance of modern drug treatment services.
The International Day of Remembrance for Deceased Drug Users has been observed since 1998 and is now the largest day of action and remembrance in the field of illicit drugs. It originated as an initiative by family members and serves as a reminder that many drug-related deaths could be prevented through early intervention, education, and harm-reduction measures.
Nationwide, a total of 2,150 people died in 2025 from overdoses or other consequences of psychoactive substance use, 34 of them in Rhineland-Palatinate. In Mainz, four drug-related deaths were recorded last year, down from eight in 2024. Since 1990, more than 39,000 people in Germany have died as a result of using illegal drugs.
“Behind every number is a person with their own story, family, and friends. Today reminds us that drug treatment services don’t just provide support—they can save lives. That’s why we must continually develop our support services and reach people where they need assistance,” emphasized Jana Schmöller, Head of Social Affairs.
The nationwide theme for this year’s observance is “Change to Save Lives.” In Mainz, this approach is already being implemented by closely monitoring the changing consumption preferences of clients at the drug assistance center. To this end, for example, a syringe monitoring program was launched in collaboration with the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz to conduct substance analyses of syringes used at Café BALANCE. This allows people who use drugs intravenously to be warned about dangerous substances. At the same time, harm reduction methods are being adapted to current consumption preferences.
This memorial day honors those who have lost their lives to drugs. At the same time, it serves as a call to continuously improve support services. With its low-threshold counseling and support services, the Café BALANCE Drug Assistance Center makes an important contribution to this effort year-round—through prevention, harm reduction, and concrete survival assistance for people with substance use disorders.
Further information: https://www.cafe-balance.de/index.html (opens in a new tab)
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