The Idar-Oberstein Youth Welfare Office and the Gymnasium an der Heinzenwies high school took part in the nationwide Alcohol Action Week. At the invitation of school social worker Marina Engelmann and addiction prevention teacher Dr. Philipp Ellrich, Sebastian Herzig and Sabine Moser from the Youth Welfare Office conducted the alcohol prevention workshop "Tom & Lisa" in Year 7.
When young people start experimenting with alcohol, it can be dangerous. They are often unable to assess how alcohol affects them and where their personal limits lie. Consequences such as accidents, violence or serious alcohol poisoning therefore represent immediate dangers for young people. The aim of the day of action at the Gymnasium an der Heinzenwies was therefore to promote risk competence during initial experiences with alcohol at parties, celebrations and private parties and to provide information about the help system.
In the interactive "Tom & Lisa" workshop, the pupils planned such a fictitious party themselves, in which they also had to consider how to deal with alcohol. They were given an insight into the Youth Protection Act, informed about the risks and dangers of dealing with alcohol and worked in teams to work out the advantages and disadvantages of a party without alcohol, among other things. With the help of simulation goggles, they were able to experience the impairments caused by alcohol intoxication, such as misjudging distances or double vision. For the young people, this made the considerable restrictions on their ability to react clearly perceptible. They also used this workshop to reaffirm their knowledge of the correct behavior in an emergency situation and practiced first aid measures.
In addition to the workshop, an active break was organized during both big breaks. The decentralized youth work team, Julia Dreher and Melissa Becker, offered a stand with alcohol-free cocktails. They informed the pupils about the risks of alcohol consumption and the HaLT prevention program, as well as providing alternative party recipes for alcohol-free cocktails. The youngsters were able to test their knowledge in a quiz and complete a bobby car course with simulation goggles.
Method boxes from the Villa Schöpflin addiction prevention center were needed to hold the "Tom & Lisa" workshop. The organizers are delighted that the required materials were financed by the Roland Foundation from Veitsrodt and would like to express their sincere thanks for this support.