When Addiction Sets the Price: Survival Sex Work and the Crack Wave in Switzerland 2026
There is a sentence that social workers in Swiss support centers hear again and again: „I’m not negotiating, I need the money now.That’s why fines and outrage fall short. What works is the unspectacular Swiss approach: going to people instead of turning them away, reducing consumption pressure, minimizing infection risk, prosecuting exploitation under criminal law – and treating people as human beings, not as cases. For the industry, this means: solidarity costs little and goes a long way. A phone number, a tip, a glance at a colleague next to you can be the beginning of someone getting their price back – and with it, a piece of self-determination.
6love understands itself as an information and community platform. This article is not a substitute for medical, legal, or addiction therapy advice. Anyone seeking support for themselves or others can find quick and confidential help through Flora Dora, Isla Victoria, FIZ, or the addiction counseling services (directory via Infodrog).