Germany's Integrative Approach to Addiction Policy

"The Federal Government continues to follow an integrative approach in its addiction policy. Unlike in other European countries, legal and illegal addictive substances are addressed together. Particular consideration is given, due to their wide popularity, to the legal addictive substances alcohol, tobacco and psychotropic pharmaceuticals when further developing addiction prevention and the assistance system. The National Strategy directs particular attention to new challenges in drug and addiction politics which arise from, amongst other things, demographic change, societal changes, old and new addiction forms and addictive substances and the resulting consumption trends. Now, more than in the past, it is not only addiction which is focused on but also risky use behaviour, which is harmful to health and limits personal development even if it does not necessarily lead to an addiction."