Prevention in the Wartburg district: Over 1,000 students against the dangers of addiction!

Prevention in the Wartburg district: Over 1,000 students against the dangers of addiction!

What do young people in the Wartburg district worry about when it comes to the dangers of addiction? The prevention project “Überblick” answers this question. Loud eisenachonline.de The project has already reached over 1,000 seventh grade students. It aims to provide education about addictive substances such as alcohol and vapes and raise young people's awareness of the risks.

Alcohol consumption plays a particularly central role in adolescence. Many young people encounter their first alcohol during rites of passage such as confirmation or youth ordination. A warning sign: Alcohol can cause significant health damage and far-reaching problems in the social environment. The “Throughout” project attaches great importance to ensuring that young people recognize the risks and are able to refuse offers from friends who encourage them to consume alcohol.

The Dangers of Vapes

But it's not just the alcohol sector that needs increasing attention. Disposable cigarettes, better known as vapes, are very popular among young people. Many do not perceive these as risky as they are often sold in fruity flavors and the vapor does not seem unpleasant. However, this appearance carries risks; Vapes often contain unknown chemicals that can cause long-term health damage, even if they are considered nicotine-free. In addition, the sale and consumption of minors is prohibited by law in Germany.

The project is supported by the Wartburg District Youth Welfare Office and the “Kompass” addiction counseling center of Diako Thüringen, which underlines the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation. Feedback from students is mixed but often positive, giving hope for the future. Further projects are already being planned with the aim of strengthening prevention work in the long term and promoting close cooperation between schools, parents' homes and specialist agencies.

The numbers speak for themselves

A report from WHO Europe provides information about worrying trends in substance use among young people. Over 50% of 15-year-olds said they had ever consumed alcohol. In addition, 32% of 15-year-olds smoke e-cigarettes, which shows how deeply these products have penetrated young people's everyday lives. This consumption can have not only health but also social consequences, which is why targeted prevention strategies are essential.

Another program that aims to protect children and young people from risky alcohol consumption is “HaLT” (Hart am Limit). Both reactive and proactive approaches are pursued. While the reactive form addresses alcohol intoxication and offers immediate help, the proactive area focuses on prevention through education and promoting responsible use of alcohol. suchtberatungsstelle.de highlights the importance of including adults in prevention work.

Overall, it is clear that the fight against the dangers of addiction among young people is essential. Projects like “Überblick” and “HaLT” make it their mission to support young people and raise society’s awareness of the issues of alcohol and drug use. The challenge is to find solutions together that work.