World Anti-DrugTransnational Internet contest - "Maya"

Home / Appeal /

Leopold von Berne

Leopold von Berne

Leopold von Berne

Narcology Expert, Chairman of the Hesse Anti-Drug Division, Germany.

Mr. Leopold von Berne is the main expert in narcology of the Gernsheim city, where he heads the Department of Health Services. He taught at the Kassel College. In May of 2007, Professor Leopold von Berne was honored with the Kassel College President's Award for Outstanding Service.

Questions

  • Doctors tend not to talk about "recovered drug addicts," and prefer the term "inactive addicts" those who dont use drugs right at given moment. In your opinion, is it not possible to get rid of this label? Even in the opinion of drug treatment experts, patients remain forever addicted. How can the modern society be taught to have an adequate attitude toward former drug addicts and consider them as a part of the society?

    Society must always have a high level of self-consciousness. And it is government’s responsibility to develop this quality in its citizens. The government needs to convey to people that only they can help themselves.

  • In you opinion how important is parental education and relationships within the family in preventing drug addiction?

    With regard to parental influence - it is important for children, but not for adolescents. Young people preparing to become adults, should be given an exclusive alternative to drugs such as, for example, various clubs. Sports, dancing, drawing, singing, anything a young person feels like doing. It really helps to get better and to avoid addiction, which, as we know appears because person has nothing else to do in 60% of all cases. Boredom and a desire to try everything are not really good for people.

  • What should be in the Internet age and growth of online communities informational methods to combat drug addiction? What do you think, what means will be most effective today, and how the state should behave in order to successfully affect the suffering of drug addiction and to conduct prevention among healthy population?

    Today, humanity comes to the conclusion that it is easier to prevent drug addiction then to solve already existing problem. I think that this is a correct decision. Drug prevention is needed! Propaganda can have a profound impact on people's minds. The ruling elite of each individual state should determine its target audience and apply certain techniques. TV, radio and internet are excellent tools. Proper presentation will bring 98% of success. Two years ago with a group of activists we distributed social ads in media, promotional brochures, and leaflets. I can tell you for sure that we have brought to the majority of people the right information about how to obtain free care and rehabilitation and about the dangers of drugs themselves. Indicators of crime and violence have also decreased.


Effects of Drug Addiction How to stop taking drugs The worst case in the life of the addict