Alcohol can brighten up our lives at times, but it can also have a devastating effect and ruin many people’s lives. In Germany (and of course in other countries as well) it is socially acceptable to have a drink (or two). It is unimaginable to have a formal dinner without alcohol.
A colleague from Packaging Coatings in Hilden realized that he was on the wrong track. It began slowly and unspectacular. Being at home after work he felt more relaxed with a drink. When he was in a stressful situation a drink was more welcome. After a while he was not able to function normally anymore without his drinks.
Our colleague decided to do something about his drinking problem and he went to a self-help (support) group at the ‘Blaues Kreuz’ (Blue Cross) association, an organization that is well known in Germany and also recognized in the UK to help people who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Our colleague managed to get his addiction under control and decided to become a volunteer for the ‘Blaues Kreuz’, informing people that they have to help themselves and should not wait for help or support by someone else.
To be able to this work properly he needed better support materials, like a video and other equipment. He appealed to the Community Program for support which was granted. Our brave volunteer is quite open about his own background and during a health week at the Hilden site he convincingly informed his colleagues about the dangers of alcohol land how quickly someone can become addicted. With the help of a lorry-simulator our colleagues were invited to drive with 1.5% alcohol in their blood, experiencing the effects of alcohol directly.
With the volunteering work for the ‘Blaues Kreuz’ our volunteering colleague helps to get the major alcohol problem in Germany, where 2.5 million people are addicted, better under control.
The project was one of the nominated projects in the 2009 Community Program Best Practices Competition.