Local addiction prevention is effective: Offenbach has the lowest number of alcohol poisonings among young people
01.04.2021 – Excessive alcohol consumption often has fatal consequences for children and young people. According to the recently published annual statistics of the state of Hesse for 2019, 920 children and adolescents had to be admitted and treated as inpatients. The lowest number of cases in Hesse was recorded in the city of Offenbach. Six children and adolescents were treated as inpatients there - the lowest number since 2003.
Frank Weber, responsible for municipal prevention work at the City of Offenbach's public order office, emphasizes: "Since 2010, the Förderverein Sicheres Offenbach e.V. and the City of Offenbach have been pushing alcohol prevention in schools. Together with the Wildhof addiction help center, we actively offer workshops at schools to educate young people about the dangers of addiction. By the end of 2019, we had reached 150 school classes with 3,739 pupils. The workshops are an important component of addiction prevention in Offenbach, as are the regular youth film days for school pupils at Cinemaxx, for which pupils from the city and district of Offenbach are invited."
Rainer Ummenhofer from the Wildhof addiction help center explains what is taught in the workshops: "It's about low-risk consumption, self-reflection and strengthening the personality. The workshops are financed by the Förderverein Sicheres Offenbach, and organized by our addiction prevention department." His colleague Christian Beek adds: "Trained students come to the school classes and talk to the pupils about their personal experiences and views on alcohol consumption. All pupils learn that alcohol is particularly dangerous in difficult life situations and that they must remain alcohol-free during pregnancy." According to Beek, the workshops are well received because the pupils experience that they are taken seriously.
Schools can now request prevention workshops for the current year. In addition to the topic of "alcohol", the Addiction Prevention Center also offers workshops on the topics of "cannabis", "gambling" and "media addiction". Schools can register for the workshops by contacting the Addiction Prevention Center on 06074-6949616 or by emailing christian.beekshz-wildhofde"We would be delighted if many Offenbach schools would once again take advantage of the prevention offer," says Frank Weber from the public order office.
However, children and young people who are admitted to hospital despite all prevention measures are also taken care of. As part of the "HaLT" state program, young people up to the age of 18 in the city and district of Offenbach are visited and advised directly in hospital following alcohol poisoning. Rainer Ummenhofer, who is responsible for implementing the program, says: "We talk openly about alcohol consumption, which can sometimes be life-threatening, with the aim of identifying risky consumption habits and preventing possible addiction as well as psychological, physical and social risks. If necessary, we offer further help. On request, the advisors at the Wildhof addiction help center are also available to talk to families and friends."
The state's statistical figures for 2020 are not yet available. It remains to be seen what impact the coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of public festivals and private celebrations have had.
Background information on "HaLT"
"HaLT" stands for "Hart am Limit" and is an early intervention project for children, teenagers and young adults with risky alcohol and cannabis consumption. The district and city of Offenbach have been involved in the "HaLT" program since 01.03.2011, i.e. for 10 years. In addition to anonymous counselling directly in the hospital, "HaLT" also includes a network that organizes other prevention projects in Offenbach, such as the Youth Film Days or the Alcohol Action Week. The Offenbach public order office, the Wildhof addiction help center, addiction self-help groups, the state education authority, the police and many other Offenbach institutions are involved. The network continues to be active during the coronavirus pandemic with public relations work and the preparation of new events.