Does the youth welfare office help with cannabis use by young people?

The Jugendamt is the agency in every municipality that supports children, young people and families. It can help when parents cannot manage upbringing on their own or when young people get into difficulties. The Jugendamt can advise parents and arrange support. For cannabis use by young people, the right support depends on the individual case, and so does the role the Jugendamt takes on. This guide explains what parents can expect from this agency, which counseling comes before it, and how to find the right contact person.

What the Jugendamt is

The Jugendamt is part of the administration of cities and districts. It is part of child and youth welfare under the Social Code, Book VIII (SGB VIII). Its work centers on how a young person can grow up well and what help families need for that. The exact responsibilities, department names and procedures differ from municipality to municipality. It is therefore worth asking locally.

It is important to know that the Jugendamt itself does not offer addiction counseling. It can connect families with counseling services and check which support is needed. If there are signs that a child's welfare is at risk, it also has a statutory duty to protect (section 8a SGB VIII). The best way to find out how this works in an individual case is to ask before an appointment.

What parents can expect from the Jugendamt

When parents contact the Jugendamt, it is often about advice on upbringing, referral to services or an assessment of the situation. In the case of cannabis use by a young person, this may mean that a specialist talks with the parents, clarifies the situation with the young person, or puts the family in touch with a counseling service. Which help is actually provided in the individual case is decided by the responsible specialist together with the family.

At first contact, ask what information the specialist needs, and describe your observations as concretely as you can. Speak openly about your concerns and your goals.

Counseling before the Jugendamt

In many cases, a counseling service is the better first step. The federal cannabis prevention website cannabispraevention.de offers information for parents, for example on health risks and on talking with children. There you will also find tips on how to reach help locally. Parents can also use online counseling on their children's cannabis use, for example through the DigiSucht platform.

According to the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS), addiction counseling services are non-binding: relatives decide for themselves which help they use. This lets you assess the situation first. You then decide whether contact with the Jugendamt makes sense.

Health risks for young people

The question about the Jugendamt often arises because parents worry about their child's health. The site cannabispraevention.de describes young people as especially at risk. Cannabis use affects a brain that is still developing. According to the BIÖG, memory can work worse in young people, and in the worst case a school or vocational qualification is put at risk. According to the BIÖG, people who use cannabis also develop psychosis more often than people who do not. However, this statistical link does not prove that cannabis causes psychosis. According to the BIÖG, roughly one in eight people who use cannabis becomes dependent.

These figures do not say which help fits an individual case. That requires a personal assessment by a specialist service.

How to find the responsible agency

You will find the responsible agency through the city or district administration. There, ask for child and youth welfare or the Jugendamt. Counseling services locally also know the contact people and can accompany you. The DHS addiction help directory helps you find counseling services near you. Bring notes on your observations so the conversation stays focused.

• Ask which office is responsible for young people with addiction problems.
• Ask about offers for parents and for young people separately.
• Clarify how you can involve your child without overwhelming them.
• Have the contact people and how to reach them written down.

When you should not wait

If your child endangers themselves or others, do not wait for an appointment. In an acute danger, call the emergency number 112. Act quickly as well if your child is violent, threatens you or no longer looks after themselves. In an acute emergency, the emergency call takes priority over any appointment.

Prevention through early conversations

Parents can address cannabis openly, agree on rules at home and show their child that they may turn to them with problems. You can reach the parents' phone line of Nummer gegen Kummer at 0800 111 0 550. Times and costs are listed at nummergegenkummer.de.

Schools are also an important partner in prevention. Teachers and school social workers see young people in everyday life and can notice changes early. If you are worried, parents should get in touch with the school.

Preparing a conversation with the Jugendamt

A conversation with the Jugendamt goes better when you know what you want to achieve. Consider whether you are looking for counseling for yourself, support for your child or a referral to services. Bring your notes, but also talk about your feelings. The specialist needs to get to know the family to find suitable help.

At the start, ask how the conversation will go, who will take part and what information the agency passes on. Asking this is reasonable. People who know the process feel more secure and can better decide what they want to share.

The child's role

Young people should be involved as far as possible when it comes to their own help. Explain beforehand why you are seeking support and which agency may be involved. A young person who feels overridden rarely speaks openly. At the same time, parents may seek help when they feel they cannot manage alone. This balance is difficult, and counseling helps to find it.

What you can do now

1. Write down your observations with dates and concrete examples.
2. Look for a counseling service for parents or young people and ask for a first assessment.
3. Ask the city or district administration which youth welfare office is responsible.
4. Talk to your child about your concerns without accusations.
5. In an acute emergency, call 112.

You will find more information in the guide How can parents protect their children from cannabis at home? It covers concrete steps for everyday life.