Monika Stocker: Negotiator with Drug Dealers, Champion of Equality

Zurich mourns the loss of Monika Stocker, a prominent Green Party politician who significantly shaped the city's political landscape in the 1990s. Stocker, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 77, served as a National Councilor from 1987 to 1991 and as a member of the Zurich City Council from 1994 to 2008. Her tenure, especially as head of the Social Department, was marked by groundbreaking initiatives aimed at addressing complex social issues.

One of Stocker's most defining moments came shortly after her election to the Zurich City Council in 1994. Amidst escalating tensions in the city's open drug scene at the Letten area, following a violent clash between dealer gangs, Stocker took a bold step. She initiated negotiations with drug dealers to prevent further escalation, a move that, while controversial, averted a potential crisis. This action was coupled with a public call to the federal government for the "controlled distribution of heroin for the severely addicted," a radical proposal at the time that aimed to reduce harm and provide a more humane approach to addiction.

Stocker's approach to drug policy was a stark departure from traditional methods. Instead of merely displacing addicts, as seen during the earlier closure of the Platzspitz park, her policies focused on providing support and treatment. The successful clearing of the Letten drug scene in 1995, without the ensuing chaos, was a testament to her pragmatic and compassionate approach. Her work laid the foundation for Zurich's pioneering harm reduction strategies, demonstrating a commitment to social justice and public health that left a lasting legacy on Swiss politics and beyond. Her ability to negotiate with drug dealers and champion equality showcased a unique blend of pragmatism and principle that defined her political career.

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This war in and around Zurich must no longer happen. We demand the controlled distribution of heroin for the severely addicted.