'I had reached a point where I knew I had to act'

While this number remains stable over time, there is an observable increase in the regular consumption of cannabis within this age group, as noted by the counselling service Impuls. This organisation collaborates closely with the public prosecutor's office, serving as a point of contact for young people who have come to attention due to the consumption of legal or illegal substances.

Given that these young individuals fall under the Youth Protection Act, the primary focus is on providing assistance rather than punishing them. Impulse offers psychosocial and therapeutic support, extending guidance to both the youth involved, their parents, and relevant institutions.

"For me, realising the severity of the situation was quite bad. I thought to myself: I'm not a junkie. I dress smartly, I go to work, I pay my bills, I don't have any debts. Yes, alright, I like to drink but what about it?" Sylvie was 24 years old when she made the decision to seek help and reach out to Impuls. Prior to that, she didn't perceive her drug and alcohol addiction as problematic. However, Sylvie remains an exception, as most young people do not take the initiative to contact Impuls,a counseling service for young people consuming illegal or legal substances, themselves. Many are connected to the service because they were apprehended for consuming illegal substances, whether by the police, customs, or at school.

Following an initial interview, a decision is made regarding the most appropriate course of action for the young person, with parents present if the individual is a minor. Alongside psychoeducational group work and individual therapy, Impuls provides a program called the "Option Program" for young people where substance consumption has significantly impacted their lives.

This programme involves collaboration with various international structures specialising in addiction treatment for young people, as such specialised programmes are not readily available in the country, as explained by Nora Vitali, Deputy Chief of Service. The journey to overcoming addiction is lengthy and challenging, showing the importance of intervention before young people spiral into severe addiction.

"I believe we are all aware that drugs play a role in high-school", says Stéphanie Muller, coordinator for Addiction Prevention at LTL.

In addition to psychoeducational workgroups, raising awareness in schools is considered an essential component. Since the beginning of this school year, an "Intervention Guide" developed by Impuls is officially distributed in various schools. This guide serves as an instruction manual, outlining the appropriate steps to take when a student is caught using illegal substances. Based on this guide, each school collaborates with an Impuls representative and a working group to formulate a specific action plan tailored to the unique circumstances of each school.

"Before the guide things were different and situations were handled individually. Fingers were pointed, everyone wondered who caught the student in the act, where and how. Now, there is a shared framework that allows for more fairness and transparency for everyone," says Muller.