Who helps pupils with cannabis problems at school?

Pupils with cannabis problems find support in several places. These include trusted teachers, school social work and external counselling services. It is important to seek a conversation early, before absences, falling grades or conflicts dominate school life. If you do not want to take the first step alone, you can bring a trusted person along.

Why school is an important place

School can be a place where problems become visible. Teachers notice changes in concentration, performance and behaviour, and can raise the subject without punishing straight away. According to cannabispraevention.de, cannabis can impair concentration, which can lead to problems at school and in training. Schools also have access to prevention offers and to specialists who help with referrals.

In the school context, how early help arrives matters most. It makes sense to address irregularities without letting them slide. The article How does cannabis prevention work in schools? describes what this can look like in practice.

The contact points at school

Many schools have trusted teachers or counselling teachers. They listen, take concerns seriously and consider with you which steps make sense. Ask at the beginning what stays confidential and when parents are informed, so that you know what you are saying.

School social work offers a low-threshold way in. Specialists there often know the offers in the surroundings and can accompany you. They are not therapists. They can, however, pave the way to counselling centres.

• Trusted teacher or counselling teacher for the first conversation
• School social work for accompaniment and referral
• School psychological services for questions about mental strain

External counselling for young people

Outside school there are counselling centres. In the DHS addiction services directory you can search by postcode or place with a radius, and narrow the search to young people. According to the Federal Government’s Drugs Commissioner, there are counselling centres for people with addiction problems in almost every city. The article Where do youth counselling services advise on cannabis use? shows which services come into question.

The crisis chat is for everyone under 25 who is looking for acute help. According to the Federal Government’s Drugs Commissioner, it is free and confidential, and substance use is among its topics. You can also phone the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031. According to the federal drug commissioner, it costs 20 cents per call.

What parents can do

Parents often face the question of how to react when they learn about their child’s use. It is important to stay calm and seek talks with the school. Speak with the teachers before you take steps that could damage your child’s trust. Ask the school whether it can arrange parent counselling. The parent phone line of the Nummer gegen Kummer can be reached on 0800 111 0 550.

A first orientation is in the article What should parents do first if they suspect cannabis use? It sets out which questions you can ask yourself in advance.

Rights and duties at school

Under section 5 of the Cannabis Act (KCanG), public use of cannabis in schools and within their sight is prohibited. At a distance of more than 100 metres, the line-of-sight rule no longer applies. More on this is in the article How far from the school entrance may you use cannabis?

Anyone who seeks help early shows responsibility. The school can mediate in this. You will learn from the school management how the school handles a breach of rules.

When teachers notice use

Teachers sometimes notice changes in behaviour, participation or performance. They are not investigators, though. In the best case, they hold a conversation that offers help without interrogating. Where possible, school and parents should not act behind the back of the pupil.

Ask what steps are usual at your school. That way you know early what to expect and can prepare.

Practical steps for school life

If you are seeking support at school, you can start with a short list. Note which subjects are affected, how your performance has changed and which contact person you prefer. This gives the conversation a clear direction.

Schools with prevention offers can provide project days, information evenings or parent evenings. There you learn facts that help in everyday life. More on this is in the article Are there training courses for teachers on cannabis? If you do not dare to talk to teachers, you can first call a counselling centre outside school. It can prepare you and help you approach the conversation at school.

If you are unsure as a parent or teacher how to raise the subject, prevention specialist services can offer materials and advice. They show how to talk about use without assigning blame, and which facts really help in lessons. Good prevention work relies on knowledge and conversation.

If a pupil is repeatedly absent, gets poorer grades or withdraws, do not wait until the situation escalates. A conversation with the class teacher or school social work can open paths before the school-leaving qualification or training is at risk. Early help is an important step here.

If you are a pupil and do not know whom you can trust, ask at school who the trusted teacher is. Many schools introduce these people at the start of the school year. You do not have to describe the whole problem straight away. A first sentence is enough to start the conversation.

What you can do now

If you are a pupil with problems related to cannabis, speak to a trusted teacher or to school social work. Outside school, you can contact a youth counselling service. If you are a parent or teacher and are worried, take up the conversation. The earlier this happens, the better damage can be limited and ways back into everyday life found.