In the opinion of Addiction and Drugs Commissioner Hendrik Streeck, Germany must do more to prevent addiction, especially among young people. It is a question of resilience, of being able to say no, explained the CDU politician after a meeting with Saxony's Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) in Dresden. Education and early prevention are extremely important. Young people need to learn what drugs and addictions can do and how to solve problems differently.
"Ultimately, it's about life skills"
"Overall, I do believe that education and prevention are extremely important in a world where everything is now available via the internet. Anyone can get basically anything at any time. Education and strengthening health literacy must ensure that young people know better what is good for them and what is bad for them," says Streeck. He himself would have liked to see "health literacy" as a school subject - perhaps in combination with media literacy. Ultimately, it's about life skills.
Support for Streeck's concerns from Saxony
Köpping supports Streeck in his efforts to improve prevention when it comes to drugs, alcohol and other addictions. She is also in favor of anchoring the topic more firmly in school lessons. "You can't shift everything onto the shoulders of the school. But health advice, nutritional advice and education about the consequences of drug use would also be necessary there. Many minors are not even aware that cannabis is still prohibited for them. Rather, the impression prevails that it is now legalized. So I can try it too."
