Video about the project - in German
About the project
Frühintervention bei erstauffälligen Drogenkonsumierenden (FreD) im digitalen Raum
Das etablierte Suchtpräventionsprogramm „Frühintervention bei erstauffälligem Drogenkonsum (FreD)“ der LWL-Koordinationsstelle Sucht wird für die digitale Anwendung in der Praxis erweitert. Notwendig ist dies aufgrund der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung, der beabsichtigten regulierten Cannabisabgabe, die eine veränderte Inanspruchnahme erwarten lässt und durch ein ohnehin verändertes Kommunikationsverhalten junger Menschen. Analog ist das Programm in allen 16 Bundesländern an über 230 Standorten verbreitet. Im Gegensatz dazu macht blu:prevent als Pionier der digitalen Suchtprävention seit Jahren hier sehr gute Erfahrungen und weist dies über hohe Interaktionszahlen über verschiedene Angebote nach. Im Projektvorhaben beabsichtigen beide Projektpartner diese erfolgreichen Welten miteinander zu verbinden, um so auch die immer stärker geäußerten Forderungen nach einer digitalen Transformation der Suchthilfe mit Leben zu füllen. Dabei nähert man sich agilen Arbeitsweisen an, bezieht die Zielgruppe partizipativ ein und denkt mit Externen außerhalb des Hilfesystems „out of the box“ über machbare und tragfähige Lösungen gemeinsam nach. Zur besseren Zielgruppenerreichung soll dabei auch eine entsprechende Marketingstrategie entworfen werden, um idealerweise auch die Inanspruchnahme abseits von Auflagen zu erhöhen. Als Setting für die Frühintervention sollen zudem Schulen über das Angebot FreD(-digital) informiert werden.
fred_online
fred_online
The dashboard for trainers
The dashboard allows trainers to compile several courses with different units tailored to the group in advance in a backend. The modules and content of individual exercises/methods can thus be selected to suit each course. This enables courses to be tailored to specific target groups. The dashboard helps trainers select the right modules based on a sample course and a preview. In addition, there will be individual descriptions for each method/exercise in the dashboard. These will then refer to both the technical and content-related implementation. Trainers also have the option of presenting selected content or images/films via an extra view, such as the screen view in online courses or the projector view in face-to-face courses, which increases participant engagement. Initial practical experience shows that fred_online works very well both as a complete online course and as a blended version in face-to-face courses.
Access to fred_online is only available to certified FreD trainers at LWL-KS. Please send inquiries to: sandy.doll@lwl.org.
Th app
fred_online is linked to the blu:prevent app, the blu:app. Participants access it via the blu:app, where there is a fred_online button. The blu:app is available for both Android and iOS devices. The app is used as a tool during the course to increase interactive participation. The inclusion of feedback mechanisms promotes motivation and engagement among young participants.
Requirements and Course
Requirements
Trainers need a computer with two screens, conference technology (video camera, headset), a video conferencing system that also allows breakout rooms, and, if necessary, a smartphone to test the app. Enjoyment of work, a desire to try new things, and curiosity.
Participants need a device with conference technology and a smartphone with the blu:app installed. In exceptional cases, participants can also take part using only their smartphone, but this only works if other participants are definitely present with a computer and smartphone and can take on “tasks.”
The fred_online course
The fred_online course is designed to last 6-8 hours, with additional tasks available as needed. The units can be divided into 2 or 3 sections. Whether in the evenings, on weekends, or during the week depends on demand. The intake interview should take place in person; if this is not possible, it can also be conducted digitally, in which case an outtake interview in person is recommended. An outtake interview should be offered as needed.
The trainers tailor the course individually to suit the group.
Blended course
The fred_online modules can also be used as a blended version in face-to-face courses. The interactive methods break up the course and allow for a variety of methods. The trainers need a computer and a projector, and the participants need a smartphone with the blu:app.
Marketing strategy, style guide, merch products & new logo
Increase voluntary participation in FreD!
The aim is to raise awareness of FreD among young people and encourage them to contact FreD locations independently.
We want to offer young people the opportunity to reflect on their consumption and seek further support if necessary.
FreD as a brand
The visual appearance of the FreD program has been redesigned. During meetings with the agency, the project team, the locations, the young people, and the “out of the box” individuals, the character and values of FreD were jointly developed and the foundation for the new direction was laid. The new branding is motivating, cheerful, and avoids dark colors. The new design aims to motivate and encourage young people to participate in the course through appealing colors and shapes. A basic style guide is available to all FreD locations in the FreD Cloud. The “wastutfred.de” website has also been designed in this style.
FreD is approachable, pioneering, and deliberately not designed to be entirely precise, as we want to convey the following message to our target groups:
“You don't have to be perfect when you come to us. We will help you find your way, have a good time together, and accompany you part of the way.”
The stickers and bags were developed in the FreD design. They are available in limited quantities at the locations. The templates for independent reordering can be found in the FreD cloud.
The products are intended to promote awareness of FreD among young people. The QR code links to the wastutfred.de website. Here, interested parties can find information about FreD and locate their nearest FreD location.
A marketing strategy has been developed for FreD: new design, new logo, style guide, photo and video material for social media appearances.
Working meeting in Kassel
Working meeting on the topic: FreD & School from June 10 to 12, 2024
In June 2024, a two-day exchange on the topic of FreD & School took place in Kassel.
Once again, we were able to bring together stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds: FreD trainers, young people, school social workers, teachers, school administrators, and individuals from within the system.
FreD already offers secondary schools the opportunity to refer students to a short educational intervention if they are caught using cannabis or other substances in school. Participation in FreD is therefore an alternative to possible disciplinary consequences and encourages active engagement with potentially risky substance use.
We would now like to raise awareness of FreD as an intervention option for schools, partly because we assume that, in view of the discussion on cannabis regulation, there will be even more frequent opportunities for intervention in secondary schools in the future.
The group therefore worked intensively on possible strategies, recommendations for action, and practical approaches, which will be made available to FreD locations afterwards. The next step will be a top-down information campaign in schools to further promote our successful drug prevention program.
We were also able to create new image and video material with the young people and trainers. This will be prepared for the FreD locations so that the image and video material can be used for their own social media channels.
The exchange has left us with valuable insights, inspiring ideas, and a positive atmosphere that will stay with us for a long time to come.
Project meeting in Dortmund
Project meeting on November 21, 2023
The entire team was once again fully engaged during the one-day project meeting in Dortmund.
A major component was the production of photos and videos with the young participants and the FreD trainers. The resulting images and videos will be used for the wastutfred.de website. They will also be made available to all FreD locations for advertising and promoting FreD, especially on social media.
The implementation and execution of fred_online, especially in the test phase, was discussed.
Work continued on the concept of the fred_online handbook, which will be made available to FreD trainers at the end of the project, as well as on the concretization of the FreD marketing strategy.
Together with all participants, merchandise products for FreD were designed and coordinated with the young participants in particular. Bags, stickers, new flyers, and cards will be produced.
The exchange was once again very beneficial for all involved and contributed enormously to the further development of the project.
ThinkTank in Frankfurt
Think Tank on March 8 and 9, 2023
Think tank developed ideas for “FreD digital”
At the beginning of March, a two-day think tank with 22 participants took place in Frankfurt. This special event format is characterized by its participatory approach. Seven young people between the ages of 18 and 25, who can be considered the “target group” of “FreD digital,” took part in the think tank. Also present were external participants who work outside the support system. These included podcasters and influencers. In terms of content, an initial draft concept for the FreD program for an online/blended counseling course was developed. In addition, agile methods were used to develop ideas for a FreD relaunch and initial ideas for a digital marketing strategy were gathered. Furthermore, strategies were discussed on how to motivate young people to voluntarily participate in FreD courses in a low-threshold manner. Suitable FreD methods were selected as part of the think tank. These are now being digitized by an external agency and tested by young people and FreD trainers at the five participating FreD locations.
Funding
The project “Early Intervention for First-Time Drug Users (FreD) in the Digital Space” – FreD Next Level is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Cooperation partner in the project
blu:prevent offers addiction prevention on an equal footing to enable young people to live self-determined and free lives.
www.bluprevent.de
