Cannabis prevention: advice and self-test

In short

Our prevention officers give members confidential advice on use, risks and help, and refer them to specialist services if needed. We provide factual information on effects, risks and safer use, without moralising. The aim is for members to make their own informed decisions and to recognise warning signs early.

Our responsibility

Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. is committed to responsible, risk-aware use of cannabis. Whatever you tell our prevention officers stays confidential.

We support members with information, personal advice and targeted help so that they keep the risks of use low and handle cannabis mindfully.

For us, prevention means more than information: we accept members as they live and meet them without reproach. We respect that adults make their own decisions, and we do not moralise. Only then does advice on reducing risks get through.

We encourage members to question their own use regularly, recognise warning signs early and take action if necessary. To this end, we share knowledge about:

The effects of cannabis
Safer use rules
Strategies for cutting down

Our trained prevention officers are easy to reach and help in confidence. If needed, we refer members to professional addiction support services and work closely with local specialist services.

Information and risk reduction

In confidential one-to-one conversations, we provide information on:

How it works: effects of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids
Acute side effects: anxiety, nausea, circulatory problems
Long-term consequences: dependence, problems with concentration and memory
Safer use: ways to reduce the risks of use
Interactions: dangers of combined use, for example with alcohol or medication
Legal matters: legal rules on possessing and using cannabis

The information is factual and based on current studies. We present it in a way that is easy to understand. Information evenings, discussion groups and talks with guests from addiction prevention are also in preparation.

Supporting self-determination

We help members to handle their use consciously and keep it under control. This includes:

Assessing your use and its risks realistically
Following safer use rules
Noticing changes in your own well-being
Setting limits and being able to say “no”
Using alternatives to cannabis to relax
Knowing about offers of help and accepting them

Information material and exchange within the club help with this.

Each member decides for themselves what role cannabis plays in their life. We help them make that decision on an informed basis.

Early detection and intervention

We inform members about warning signs of risky use or developing dependence, for example:

using much more often or in larger amounts
daily responsibilities and social contacts being neglected because of use
continuing to use despite negative consequences such as problems concentrating
withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings during breaks from use

If you notice signs like these in yourself or others, you can quickly have a confidential conversation with us to talk the situation through and look for solutions together. If needed, we refer people to addiction counselling services or to therapists. Thanks to our close cooperation with local addiction support services, this is quick and straightforward. The aim is to recognise problems early, before dependence develops.

In the club, members should be able to talk openly about problems and worries and support one another. For this, we are planning group meetings and moderated discussion groups.

Cooperation with specialist services

We work with Suchthilfe im Kreis Unna, the addiction support service for the Unna district, with the DROBS drug counselling service and with Diakonie Dortmund. Our prevention officers completed the training required by the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) with Suchthilfe im Kreis Unna (§ 23 para. 4 KCanG). Anyone who wants to change their use or is looking for support can find their way into the support system through these services, as provided for in § 23 para. 5 KCanG.

The experience of these specialist services feeds into what we offer. We use tried and tested prevention approaches and take part in further training regularly. Through addiction counselling services, self-help groups and therapists, we can refer people to further help.

We take part in research projects and studies on cannabis prevention and use current findings to develop our work further.