Cannabis Know How #5

7 tips on how to talk to teens about cannabis to remain in contact and in discussion with them.

Young people should not use cannabis. But how should I, as a parent, teacher or educator, react when young people start to be interested in cannabis or, despite the ban, even consume it?

Adults often find it difficult to talk to young people about cannabis because they feel insecure about the topic, among other things. So some may think that the best prevention is not to talk about it at all, according to the motto « silence is golden ». In everyday life, however, it often becomes apparent that silence does not make the topic « disappear ». Even purely deterrent appeals (« You end up as a junkie ») are usually not effective.

Sooner or later, adolescents come into direct or indirect contact with cannabis. Adults should support young people in developing the skills needed to deal with cannabis (not using cannabis is also dealing with cannabis!).

An open culture of discussion in which « difficult topics » can also be discussed is favourable. Not all consumption is abusive and not every abuse auto­mat­i­cal­ly leads to addiction. However, there is no such thing as risk-free consumption!

Parents, teachers and educators should pay attention to where young people « stand » and react in tricky situations. This can only be achieved with the help of an open culture of dialogue.

On the following pages are some hints on how to talk to young people about cannabis without the con­ver­sa­tion being doomed to failure from the outset.

First of all: trust and empathy are indispensable foundations for talking about cannabis

#1 Ensure a good conversation situation

• A positive climate of discussion is needed in which all par­tic­i­pants are willing to listen and are willing to understand each other.
• Take the time for the interview.
• Even door-to-door con­ver­sa­tions can sometimes leave a lasting impression. However, it should not remain exclusively with this form of con­ver­sa­tion. The issue should be taken up at a later stage.
• Choose the location of the con­ver­sa­tion in such a way that it creates a good atmosphere but also offers enough intimacy.
• Eliminate, as far as possible, con­ver­sa­tion disturbers (e.g. the smartphone should remain switched off).

#2 Ensure open and unbiased communication

• Do not go into the con­ver­sa­tion biased and show interest in young people and their topics (appre­ci­a­tion).
• If parents, teachers or educators already believe they know everything, one should not be surprised that the con­ver­sa­tion goes differently than planned.
• If you don’t understand something, ask without making assumptions or judging.
• Under­stand­ing does not auto­mat­i­cal­ly mean agreeing.
• Do not make the young person feel like he has to justify and defend himself; give young people no reason to lie.

#3 Clearly communicate your thoughts and worries

• Use I‑messages, i.e. share how the behavior of the young person affects you and what it triggers in you.
• Relate to your concerns, show personal concern. ot make suspicions/​insinuations that can be accusatory or hurtful (avoid « you » messages).
• Show that young people can be trusted; with hasty suspicions and criticism, messages such as « you cannot be trusted » can quickly be conveyed.

#4 Clarify the situation – but please without interrogation

• Listen carefully and allow other points of view.
• Stay tuned and don’t settle for unclear/​rash expla­na­tions.
• But do not exert pressure, it is not an inter­ro­ga­tion.
• Suspicions are also coun­ter­pro­duc­tive, do not make the young person the « culprit ».
• Drug tests, searching the room or bags, etc. can put a con­sid­er­able strain on confidence, especially if the worries turn out to be unfounded, future con­ver­sa­tions are rather difficult.

#5 Don’t be provoked

• In adolescence, one of the devel­op­men­tal tasks is often to provoke others… But don’t let yourself get out of the concept and keep a « cool head ».
• Do not take the possible provo­ca­tions personally and do not over­es­ti­mate them.
• Remember your goal: get along with each other and stay in con­ver­sa­tion.

Important: Even if adolescents in puberty sometimes seem provocative or closed and do not want to discuss everything with adults, they need the certainty that you are interested in them and that they can get help whenever they need it.

#6 Address your own (non-)use of cannabis

• Before the interview, think about how you would like to deal with the following possible question from the young person: « Have you ever smoked pot yourself?
• There is no clear « right » answer to this. The possible answer depends on many other factors, e.g.: age of the adolescent, rela­tion­ship with the inter­locu­tor, etc.

# 7 Bring expertise into the conversation

• About some basic knowledge about active ingredient, effect, addiction, consumption risks, etc. should be disposed of in order to be able to have a credible discussion.
• However, the con­ver­sa­tion must not end in an « expert discussion » or appear « teacher-like ».
• Delib­er­ate­ly exaggerated or false information should be avoided.
• If the knowledge reaches its limits, feel free to ask a counselling centre for advice.

For information about cannabis, you can contact CNAPA by phone at +49 7777 55, by email at email hidden; JavaScript is required , or via WhatsApp at 691 49 77 55.

Additional Notes:

• Talks about cannabis should not take place after a « cannabis incident » (if, for example, a teenager was caught smoking weed).
• It’s about breaking the taboo on the subject of cannabis…
• Addiction prevention takes place in everyday life and is not just a matter of experts.
• Stay in the con­ver­sa­tion, even if it can be uncom­fort­able at times.

Head for a common goal, which can also consist of partial goals. It also usually takes several con­ver­sa­tions. One goal could be to address the noticed, possibly problematic cannabis use and to refer the user to a counseling center. Or perhaps the possible desirable goal of abstinence cannot be achieved in a first step, so a partial goal could be to accompany the consumer on the way from regular to occasional consumption. It is important to show young people that you are there for them when you are needed and at the same time you should give young people enough space to make experiences themselves.

What to do if cannabis becomes a problem?

There are good reasons why young people should not use cannabis. If they do it anyway, many remain with a single or an occasional consumption (trial consumption). Of course, no consumption is without risk… but what to do if cannabis becomes a problem? Don’t stay alone! In such a situation, it is important to seek help.

Contact your family or friends, with whom you can discuss what might be « best » to do. But do not be afraid to inform yourself at a help or advice center.

If you have any other questions about cannabis, please contact our FroNo hotline:

• By phone: (+352) 49 7777 55, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm.
• By e‑mail: email hidden; JavaScript is required
• By WhatsApp: (+352) 691 497 755