Lippstadt students win a special prize for touching video

Lippstadt students win a special prize for touching video

Hofheim am Taunus, Deutschland - The creative minds from Lippstadt have demonstrated their talent and proved to be true ambassadors for alcohol abuse. Greta, Leonie Steuerwald and Neele Radin produced a touching video in which they told the story of Joschi Meyer, a dry alcoholic. This emotionally charged video, which was shown in her school, moved both Joschi and his wife to tears. For their remarkable work, the students were awarded the "Special Prize Social Media" and can look forward to over 300 euros. This reports DAK-Gesundheit in its article about the “Colorful instead of blue” competition-art against Komaslauf, which is already celebrating its sixteenth edition in 2025.

Andreas Baur, head of DAK health in Soest, praised the sensitivity and artistic power of the video. "Colorful instead of blue", an initiative that has been working with over 143,000 pupils since 2010, has set itself the task of raising awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse. According to the Federal Government's drug and addiction report, the campaign is exemplary and was certified by the European Commission. The latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office, which show a decline in youngsters, is particularly encouraging: in 2023 only 9,263 young people were treated for intoxication in clinics - a decrease of 19 % compared to the previous year.

an important campaign

The "Colorful instead of blue" campaign has established itself as a significant player in the fight against alcohol abuse and is supported by the federal government and DAK health. The action is also the goal of clarifying the youth about the risks of drinking into noise. In 2022, around 11,500 minors in Germany were treated in stationary due to acute alcohol abuse, which shows a slow but positive trend: a decline of 1 % compared to the previous year and 43 % since 2019. It has been the lowest level since 2001.

With the call to design creative posters, the campaign has moved well over 130,000 children and adolescents to participate. Schools in Germany, a total of around 11,000, are invited to participate and receive extensive teaching materials. A reward for the best ideas of around 12,000 euros will also be awarded. Particularly noteworthy are the special prices in the categories "Young Talents" and for the best Instagram pictures that are submitted under certain hashtags.

prevention is key

So why is prevention so important? People use addictive substances for various reasons, and the causes can be complex. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the effects of drugs are very different depending on the type, type of use and the physical condition of the consumer. The topic of drug abuse therefore requires a holistic approach. Prevention must take different causes into account and can assume different forms- from primary prevention that aims to avoid the endangering consumption, to secondary and tertiary prevention.

With initiatives such as "Colorful instead of blue", not only deals with the acute problem of alcohol abuse, but also to promote life skills in early childhood. In recent years, the view of legal drugs has also expanded, which must also be included in the prevention. At the national, regional and local level, the drug problem is actively working, including by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZGA) and the German Central Center for Addiction Questions (DHS).

Overall, it can be seen that the continuing efforts to educate and sensitize have an effect and hopefully lead the path to a drug -free future to a healthy youth that can deal with the challenges of life without addictive substances. The DAK health and the Federal Government for Addictive and Drug Questions continue to do everything possible to support young people in this way.