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Offenbach's bold push to curb youth cannabis use gains momentum

A small German city is turning the tide on youth cannabis use. With workshops doubling in two years, Offenbach's strategy blends funding, collaboration—and real results.

The image shows a poster with a hookah, marijuana leaves, and a cigarette, along with text that...
The image shows a poster with a hookah, marijuana leaves, and a cigarette, along with text that reads "Behavior Risks: E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults is Strongly Linked to the Use of Other Tobacco Products, Such as Regular Cigarettes, Cigars, Hookah, and Smokeless Tobacco".

Offenbach's bold push to curb youth cannabis use gains momentum

Offenbach has expanded its cannabis prevention efforts among young people over the past two years. The initiative, led by the Wildhof Addiction Support Center and the Public Health Department, has seen growing participation. Funding and coordination have played a key role in its development.

The project began in 2024 with 30 workshops, reaching over 550 students aged 14 to 20. By 2025, demand had risen sharply, leading to 46 workshops and more than 1,000 participants. The exact number of schools involved remains undisclosed, but the programme's reach has clearly widened.

Funding for the initiative comes from the Sicheres Offenbach association, which has allocated €59,250 so far. The Public Health Department also integrated cannabis prevention into the Youth Welfare Office's Method Toolkit, ensuring broader access to resources.

To improve coordination, a Roundtable on Addiction Prevention was set up. This group aligns prevention strategies across different organisations. The project's growth is credited to strong partnerships and structured collaboration.

Looking ahead, over 40 workshops are planned for 2026. These will target at-risk youth and those already using cannabis, building on the progress made since 2024.

The initiative will continue in 2026 with a focus on vulnerable groups. More than 40 workshops are scheduled, reflecting the programme's sustained expansion. The combination of funding, strategic partnerships, and coordinated efforts has ensured its ongoing development.

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