Thuringian cities celebrate success: alcohol ban works wonders!

Thuringian cities celebrate success: alcohol ban works wonders!

Gera, Deutschland - The discussion about alcohol ban zones in Thuringia picks up speed. As [n-tv] (https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/thueringen/thueringer-kommunen-mun- alcohol bots zone zones-article25849479.html), the affected cities draw a consistently positive conclusion. In places such as Gera, Eisenach and Jena, those responsible are pleased with the noticeable changes. The results of these measures are significant declines in crime and general cleanliness in the prohibition zones.

in Gera, for example, where a comprehensive ban on alcohol has been in the city center since July 2017, a clear difference is noticed. Regular checks by the police and regulatory office are necessary, however, to ensure compliance with the regulations. There were also positive experiences in Jena and Erfurt, whereby the city of Weimar, which does not stick to these zones, relies on other priorities.

The causes and social access

But what is the discussion about alcohol in society so complex? According to [Thuringia24] (https://www.thueringen24.de/thueringen/article300443666/thueringen-alholosucht-zahlen-neuste. The numbers are alarming: Over 44,000 people in Thuringia were looking for help for alcohol addiction in 2023, of which around 33,500 men and around 10,800 women were affected.

older age groups see themselves particularly polluted; In the group of 55- to 64-year-olds, it affects 9,500 men and 2,900 women. Experts emphasize that the social pressure and the high acceptance of alcohol in our culture make it much more difficult for dependencies. Unfortunately, this often means that many affected people do not seek professional help.

The effects of addiction and necessary measures

The effects of alcohol addiction are anything but harmless and can bring profound consequences for health, psyche and social relationships. And yet the public discussion about these topics often fails to materialize, whereby the number of unreporters of those affected is considered considerably. According to the German Center for Addiction, there are around 3 million adults in Germany with alcohol -related disorders. [DHS] (https://www.dhs.de/suechte/ alcohol/sumen-daten-facts) shows that 1.6 million people are alcohol-dependent.

In order to meet the problem in the long term, addiction experts demand coordinated measures at the federal level. Suggestions for reducing alcohol consumption include higher prices, advertising bans and restrictions on sale. Minister of Health Katharina Schenk has already announced that it will promote health care in Thuringia to specifically strengthen prevention programs.

The need for discussion about alcohol consumption and the associated risks is so out of the question. The success of the alcohol ban zones are a first step, but the solution to the problem requires significantly more commitment and a broad social debate about dealing with alcohol.