Which support services exist for parents in youth welfare?

When a child is caught with cannabis, parents often first ask whom they can turn to. The answer usually leads to the local youth welfare service. If young people under 18 are caught using cannabis, parents are informed in every case according to Cannabisprävention des Bundes. Under certain circumstances, the responsible local youth welfare service may also be brought in. Youth welfare is therefore a contact point you should know about before the situation becomes concrete.

What youth welfare does in cannabis cases

Youth welfare supports families, children and young people in difficult circumstances. For the tasks it takes on in an individual cannabis case, ask your local Jugendamt. Call there and ask what is planned in your situation.

You can ask what is meant, what cooperation is expected of you and which services are available. If you are unsure, get advice beforehand, for example from the Elterntelefon.

Who can be reached locally

Several bodies can help with cannabis questions locally. An overview of typical contacts:

• the Jugendamt as the local youth welfare provider
• addiction counselling services that also advise relatives
• parenting counselling services for questions about family and upbringing
• school social work if the child attends a school
• the child and adolescent doctor or family doctor for health questions

Which body suits your case best can be clarified by phone. Many services refer you on to another institution if needed.

The addiction support directory as a guide

The Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) runs the Suchthilfeverzeichnis. There you can find counselling services near you. According to Cannabisprävention des Bundes, the search can be narrowed by federal state, postcode or town, and by radius. The link collection of Cannabisprävention des Bundes also offers further links to counselling and materials.

Search with your place of residence and try a larger radius if little is shown in your town. Note the services that fit and call before you book an appointment.

First telephone advice

If you would like to speak to someone first, two numbers are helpful. You can reach the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031. The Elterntelefon of Nummer gegen Kummer can be reached on 0800 111 0 550. According to the operator, the Elterntelefon is anonymous and free of charge, while the Sucht & Drogen Hotline charges a fee. Both services help you sort out your worry and plan the next steps, even if no authority is involved yet.

You do not need to know everything on the phone. It is enough to describe the situation in one or two sentences and then ask which service is responsible in your region.

How to prepare for a conversation with youth welfare

• Write down the most important changes and incidents, with dates.
• Note what the school or other people have reported to you.
• Consider what support you would like for your child and for yourself.
• Ask about the next step and the name of the person responsible.
• Ask for a written summary when important agreements are concerned.

This preparation helps you stay calm in the conversation. You do not have to decide everything at once. Ask how much time you have for decisions, and get advice beforehand.

When specialist legal advice makes sense

For offences that are also banned for adults, such as the unauthorised supply of cannabis, according to Cannabisprävention des Bundes young people who are criminally responsible from the age of 14 can also be held to account. For questions about legal consequences, penalties or proceedings, courts decide each case individually. A specialist lawyer can put this into context. The Jugendamt and the counselling services can refer you to the right place. Cannabisprävention summarises the legal situation for parents and children, but it does not replace individual advice.

What you can do now

Choose two contact points near you and note their phone numbers. Call before you need them, so that the first contact is easier in an emergency. Ask openly what help is possible, and take time for your decision. You can find out how to prepare the conversation with your child under How do parents talk about cannabis properly?. What happens when the school is informed is explained in How does the school support parents in cannabis cases?.

The role of the Jugendamt in youth protection is described in When is the Jugendamt informed?. If you are also looking for advice for yourself, Where do parents get advice on cannabis? gives an overview. General information is available in the topic area prevention and youth protection and on the page Youth protection.