PEPtalk Prevention

PEPtalk – Prevention Empowering Parents and Pupils

PEPtalk is a parent initiative which aims to provide NMS parents with information about preventing addiction. We work closely with the teachers and educators to build on the school prevention programme.

If you are concerned about a student or an incident at school, please contact one of the following staff members confidentially:

NMS Primary contacts:
– class educator (via email or your child’s log book)
– This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Head of Educator Team)

NMS Secondary contacts:
– any secondary educator
– a designated teacher counsellor (Vertrauenslehrer): Ms Birmingham, Dr Milena
– the addiction prevention coordinator: Herr Cwielong.

See our parent FAQs for tips on how to address prevention issues and support your children
Find out where to get help in English in Berlin

If you have any questions or would like to join our team, please get in touch!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recent prevention projects:

Addiction Prevention

Addiction Prevention parent evening with the Berlin Police – October 2018

In case you missed this informative parents’ evening with police prevention officer, Ms Michel, here are some useful facts and tips.

When should I start worrying about drugs and alcohol?

In Berlin, the average age at which young people first come into contact with drugs is 11-13 years. The most commonly available drugs are cannabis, alcohol and amphetamines.

Is cannabis legal in Germany? What happens if you get caught?

No! Even if you have heard rumours that cannabis is legal or tolerated in Berlin, it is an illegal drug. If a young person is found by the police to be in possession of or consuming the drug, this will be recorded and shared with the driving licence authorities.

The consequences for young people are serious and expensive! When you apply for a driving licence, the records are checked. If you have a drugs record, you will have to take regular official drugs tests for 1 year before you are even allowed to start driving lessons! And you have to pay the costs yourself (approx. 1500 Euros).

If a young person gets a criminal record for a drug-related offence, the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) will be informed and this may result in checks on the family. The young person will also be required to attend therapy sessions with a drugs counselling organisation (such as LogIn).

What are the warning signs that a teenager is using drugs?

Here are some warning signals that a child may be using drugs:

red eyes and dilated pupils
if you find unusual items in your child’s bedroom which may be used as hiding places for drugs (e.g. cans of soup or drinks)
if you find shiny, colourful sachets (similar to football card packets) with cartoon characters on them (e.g. Homer Simpson, Scooby Doo). These can contain extremely dangerous (life threatening) synthetic drugs which are deliberately targeted at kids. You should report this to the police.

What can I do if I suspect my teenager is consuming drugs?

If you are concerned about your child, other students or an incident at school, you can contact one of the following staff members confidentially:
– any secondary educator
– a designated teacher counsellor (Vertrauenslehrerin): Ms Birmingham
– the addiction prevention coordinator: Herr Czwielong.

You can also seek advice confidentially (in English or German) at LogIn, centre for young people and addiction advice for Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.

What can I do as a parent to reduce the risk of my child taking drugs?

Here are some things parents can do to support their teenage children:

try to maintain an open and trusting relationship with your children
encourage them to feel confident talking to you about their concerns and experiences
encourage them to be physically active and regularly take part in sports activities
make sure you and your children are well-informed about the risks and effects on physical and mental health

You can find more information about the effects on brain development in the notes from Anne Wilkening’s workshop for parents.

Remember, it’s important for parents to support each other – keep in touch with other parents and don’t be afraid to seek help if you have concerns.

Here are some useful resources on drugs prevention:

From the Berlin Police (in German only):

Information brochure for parents from Berlin Police (downloadable PDF)

https://www.polizeifürdich.de/deine-themen/drogen.html

Online resources in English:

What to Say to Your Teenager About Drugs (13-18 year olds):

https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/#tips4

Advice for parents and carers worried about drug use:

https://www.talktofrank.com/worried-about-a-child

Advice for parents, scenarios for role-playing: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Helping-Teens-Resist-Pressure-to-Try-Drugs.aspx