Addiction Project on Alcohol Use

“Hackedicht”—You’re Better Off Without It!—This campaign by the Hessian State Medical Association is a regular feature on the Steinmühlen calendar. To educate 8th-grade students about the effects of alcohol, highlight potential risks, and answer questions, Steinmühlen teachers Nicole Hohm and Heike Rabben-Martin work closely with Dr. Birgit Wollenberg, director of the District Health Office.

Once again, the event began with a presentation by the physician, who highlighted the potential dangers of alcohol and described how addiction can manifest itself. She also explained the biological processes that take place when alcohol is consumed and, in the worst-case scenario, consumed in excess.

So-called “drunk goggles” were used to demonstrate to the students what it feels like to act under the influence of alcohol. They simulate being drunk and give students a sense of what it’s like to lose control of their senses due to alcohol. It was evident that even very simple tasks proved quite difficult for the young people while in this “drunk” state!

“Ultimately, our campaign is about learning to drink responsibly and developing an understanding of how to recognize one’s personal limits,” explained Nicole Hohm. — An important topic with valuable insights that the Steinmühlen students will carry with them into the rest of their lives.

The initiative by the State Medical Association is supported by the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs and the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration.