- Scientist Hendrik Streeck appointed as the government's drug authority.
German Virologist Hendrik Streeck Named New Federal Drug Czar
Health Minister Nina Warken, a CDU member of the German Bundestag, announced the appointment of Dr. Hendrik Streeck as the new Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues on May 28, 2025. This appointment follows the recommendation of Minister Warken and was confirmed by the Federal Cabinet.
The 47-year-old virologist succeeds SPD politician Burkhard Blienert in the role, marking a shift in political leadership for this policy area. Streeck, who is also the director of the Institute of Virology at the University Hospital Bonn, boasts a medical background that Warken believes will help depolarize the emotionally charged drug debate.
Streeck has been a member of the Bundestag since his election in February. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gained national recognition for his virology expertise and often advocated for less stringent protective measures. In fact, he was briefly discussed as a possible new federal health minister following the February election.
The new Federal Government Commissioner for Sexual and Gender Diversity is 31-year-old Saxon SPD state parliamentarian Sophie Koch. This commissioner position lies within the Federal Ministry of the Family. Sven Lehmann, a Green politician who previously held this role, is now head of the culture committee in the Bundestag.
In a statement, State Minister Petra Köpping lauded the appointment of Koch, saying: "The work of the federal commissioner is more important than ever."
The black-red federal government has already abolished more than half of the federal commissioners, according to Vice-Government Spokesman Sebastian Hille. Of the previous 43 positions, 25 have been eliminated, representing 58% of the federal commissioners. This move reflects a promise made by the CDU during the election campaign to reduce the number of commissioners compared to the previous traffic light government.
Background Information:
Hendrik Streeck's views on cannabis legalization have been nuanced. While he acknowledges the risks cannabis poses to adolescent brain development and mental health vulnerabilities, he also recognizes arguments in favor of legalization based on self-determination and proportionality. However, some of his earlier public statements opposing cannabis legalization reform appear to have been removed from his website.
In his new role, Streeck is tasked with overseeing national addiction and drug policies, coordinating treatment and recovery strategies, and influencing federal health policy related to drug and addiction control in Germany.
Keywords: Hendrik Streeck, Drugs, Bundestag, Federal Government, Nina Warken, Sophie Koch, Commissioner, Cannabis, Policy, Legalization.
- Dr. Hendrik Streeck, a virologist and a member of the Bundestag, acknowledged the risks of cannabis on adolescent brain development and mental health vulnerabilities, but also recognized arguments favoring legalization based on self-determination and proportionality.
- As the new Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, Hendrik Streeck will be responsible for overseeing national policies on drugs, coordinating treatment and recovery strategies, and influencing federal health policy related to drug and addiction control in Germany.
- Despite the abolition of more than half of the federal commissioner positions by the black-red federal government, the appointment of Sophie Koch as the new Federal Government Commissioner for Sexual and Gender Diversity within the Federal Ministry of the Family is significant, with State Minister Petra Köpping praising the decision, stating, "The work of the federal commissioner is more important than ever."
