Konrad Fissneider

Honesty means acting and speaking truthfully and sincerely. It includes both revealing facts and remaining loyal to oneself and others. Honesty builds trust and a solid foundation in relationships, whether personal or professional. Honesty plays a crucial role in drug addiction, both for the affected person and their environment. People with addiction problems often tend to hide or downplay their use—out of shame, fear, or a desire to maintain control. However, this dishonesty isolates them and can worsen the problem. Honesty is the first step toward healing: it allows individuals to acknowledge their addiction to themselves and others and to accept the necessary support. Only through open communication can trust be established and the foundation for successful therapy be laid.

Respect is the recognition and appreciation of people, their rights, and their dignity. It is demonstrated through fair treatment, politeness, and the understanding that every person is valuable. Respect is fundamental for interpersonal relationships and contributes to harmonious coexistence. Respect in the context of drug addiction means treating affected individuals without prejudice and acknowledging their experiences. It builds trust and encourages open conversations that are important for the healing process. Respect helps reduce discrimination and encourages seeking help and support.

Openness is the ability to communicate honestly and transparently, as well as to embrace new ideas and perspectives. It fosters trust, understanding, and collaboration in interpersonal relationships and can support renewal and positive change.
Openness in the context of drug addiction refers to honest communication about drug use and addiction problems. It promotes awareness of risks, facilitates seeking help, and helps reduce discrimination. An open environment builds trust and encourages affected individuals to share their experiences, which supports the healing process. Openness is crucial for the prevention and treatment of drug addiction.

Responsibility is the duty to stand by one’s own decisions and actions and to accept their consequences. It is crucial for trust, reliability, and accountability in personal and social relationships.
Responsibility as a drug user means being aware of one’s own decisions and their consequences, making informed choices, understanding the risks and effects of drugs, prioritizing one’s own health and the safety of others, treating others with respect, seeking help when facing problems, understanding legal regulations, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Compassion is an empathetic understanding and sharing in the feelings and experiences of others. It involves awareness of others’ suffering and a desire to help or support them. Compassion fosters interpersonal relationships and contributes to emotional connection and social cohesion.
Compassion in someone struggling with drug addiction is shown through understanding the suffering of others, as they have often experienced pain and struggles themselves. This experience fosters a deeper connection with others facing similar challenges and can strengthen the desire to offer support and find community.

Justice means that people are treated fairly and respectfully and are given equal opportunities. It involves ensuring that rules and laws apply to everyone and that decisions are made objectively and without prejudice. Justice requires that rights and duties are fairly distributed and that violations are appropriately sanctioned. It is a fundamental value in society, based on discipline and attitude, and promotes peaceful coexistence.
Justice in the context of drug use means treating people fairly and equally regardless of their consumption, providing access to prevention and treatment, and viewing addiction as a health issue rather than relying solely on punishment.

Freedom is the ability to make decisions and act without restrictions. It encompasses individual rights and the possibility to lead a self-determined life. A distinction is often made between negative freedom (freedom from coercion) and positive freedom (freedom to act).
Freedom in the context of drug addiction means breaking free from the captivity of addiction. Those affected often experience a loss of control and autonomy. The path to freedom requires courage, support, and self-awareness. It is about finding inner strength to live a self-determined life and regain quality of life.

Love – probably the strongest and deepest feeling that can connect and inspire people. It has many forms and meanings: romantic love, familial or friendly affection, self-love, and universal love for humanity and all life.
Love in the context of drug addiction is often burdened and marked by mistrust, guilt, and disappointment. Addiction makes genuine connection difficult, but loving support with clear boundaries can promote the path to recovery.

Gratitude is the feeling or attitude of appreciating the positive things in life. It can relate to people, experiences, or even everyday things. Gratitude helps us focus on the good and can increase well-being, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships with others. It is often described as a form of recognition for what one has, rather than focusing on what is lacking.
For someone struggling with drug addiction, gratitude can mean appreciating the small positive things in life, even during difficult times. It can include the support of friends and family or awareness of progress in the recovery process. This appreciation can help shift the focus from addiction to what truly matters and provide motivation on the path to healing.

Appreciation of others means showing recognition and respect for their achievements and feelings, fostering empathy, and breaking down prejudices. It strengthens relationships, creates a positive environment, and encourages understanding and support.
For someone struggling with drug addiction, appreciation of others means recognizing the strengths and positive qualities of the people around them, showing compassion, and nurturing relationships, which supports their own healing process and offers hope for change.

Talk openly about drugs and their risks, be a positive role model in your use of alcohol, inform your child about the dangers, strengthen their self-confidence, pay attention to their circle of friends, offer active leisure activities, and set clear boundaries. This way, you create a safe environment and protect your child from drug abuse.

Drug education within the family is important to inform children and adolescents about the risks and consequences of drug use. Open conversations build trust and help clarify questions. Parents should set clear values and boundaries, be role models, and educate themselves about different drugs and their effects. It is essential to provide a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their worries and fears. Prevention through education and shared leisure activities can reduce the risk of drug abuse.

Interpersonal relationships are strengthened through open communication, trust, shared experiences, and compassion. Active listening, respect, and support during difficult times reinforce the bond. Common interests and conflict resolution contribute to deepening the relationship.

To instill self-confidence and joy in life in your child, create a loving and supportive environment. Praise efforts, encourage challenges, offer responsibilities, engage in shared activities, show enthusiasm for life, and support social connections. Be a role model yourself for self-confidence and joy in life.

My personal account during presentations vividly demonstrates how the seemingly harmless start of drug use can lead to life-threatening addiction. It is important to educate people early and raise awareness about the dangers. Only in this way can we collectively create a society where young people better understand the risks and consequences and make more conscious decisions.

After the drug presentation, a short film is shown that depicts the reality of drug abuse and its impact on my life. In the subsequent discussion, participants shared their impressions and thoughts, with many emphasizing the importance of education and support.

Instilling healthy values in children means modeling honesty, respect, kindness, and responsibility for them. Through playing and learning together, we promote compassion and team spirit. Open communication and active listening build trust and help them express their feelings. With positive examples and good feedback, we demonstrate the importance of integrity and fairness, supporting them in making their own decisions and taking responsibility for their actions.

Setting boundaries for children is important for their development. It promotes security and self-confidence. Clear rules help guide behavior and structure daily life meaningfully. It is important to be consistent and loving. Positive reinforcement for good behavior strengthens the relationship. Communication is key: explain the reasons for boundaries and listen to the child’s needs. By setting boundaries, you help children feel safe and secure, which supports their social and emotional growth.

Talking with children is important to understand their thoughts and feelings. It fosters trust and strengthens the bond. Having an open ear and actively listening creates a positive atmosphere. Asking questions that stimulate imagination and using simple language makes communication easier. Children appreciate it when adults take their opinions seriously. Regular conversations about everyday events improve children’s communication skills and self-confidence. This way, they learn to express themselves and share their emotions. Talking with children about sensitive topics like drug or addiction prevention requires a lot of empathy, openness, and age-appropriate communication.

"Strong Parents – Strong Children" emphasizes the importance of the parent-child relationship for the healthy development of children. It conveys that engaged, loving, and stable parents are crucial in fostering children’s self-confidence and resilience. Through open communication, emotional support, and shared experiences, children are empowered to better face challenges and act confidently.