The German city of Hagen, known as the “gateway to the Sauerland,” is seeing rapid change as migration and rising drug use reshape its center, NIUS reported on Monday.
According to the outlet, a growing Muslim presence is influencing shops, playgrounds, and daily life. Businesses now include Syrian barbers offering gender-segregated services, Islamic clothing stores, arcades, fruit shops, and döner restaurants.
Migrants from African countries and Roma communities have also moved into the area. Locals told NIUS that German families are increasingly absent from playgrounds and the pedestrian zone, with many avoiding the city center entirely.
At the same time, drug use has become visible across public spaces. Crack and cocaine are consumed openly near the main train station despite the proximity of a police station. NIUS reported that dealers and users operate largely without interference, leaving litter, human waste, and aggressive behavior in their wake.
Residents warned the outlet that Hagen’s problems could soon spread to other German cities if current trends continue.
