The Young Consumers Consultations (CJC) aim to prevent young people from falling into addiction. Little known, they are the subject of a national campaign started on Monday.
There are more than 400 in France. Very clever who could name just one… The Young Consumers Consultations (CJC) have existed for ten years in the region, but they are struggling to make themselves known to the general public. To get them out of anonymity, the Ministry of Health, the Mildeca (1) and theInpes (2) launch this week a national communication campaign.
Cannabis, alcohol, video games
Far from clichés, the CJC do not give in the moralizing discourse and long sermons on the harmful effects of cannabis or video games. Free, anonymous, they welcome young people aged 12 to 25 and their families, to talk about the consumption of any products (cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, Internet, etc.). And this, before these teenagers fall into addiction for good.
“In France, we meet young consumers on two occasions: when they are sanctioned (arrested, or sent by a school) or when they are sick, explains Jean-Pierre Couteron, president of the Federation Addiction, who is participating in the campaign. However, adolescents hate being treated like delinquents or mentally ill ”.
Listen to Jean-Pierre Couteron, president of the Addiction Federation “They arrive in a place where they cannot hear: ‘you are sick and you must stop'” “.No drug addict, no social cases
The CJC are precisely intended to offer them a third way. Neither drug addict, nor social case, young people are invited to express themselves on their personal journey, to reflect on what their consumption brings them in terms of satisfaction, costs and nuisances. The dimension of pleasure also occupies its place.
“It is not a question of demonizing what is, at the origin, a hobby – alcohol, cannabis, games… explains Olivier Phan, addictologist, head of a CJC in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. We know that for some, these moments of relaxation become problematic. But rather than sticking labels to teenagers, we focus on their personal trajectory, on the best way to combine fun and fulfilling life ”.
Listen to Olivier Phan, addictologist, head of a CJC : “We focus on well-being and not on driving”.
It is with this in mind that the CJCs organize their “coming-out”. First, with spots that will be broadcast on television channels. They make fun of preconceived ideas about consumers, and the caricatures they are often the object of. “This is Maya, seen for herself. There, it’s Maya, seen by her friends. Maya seen by her father… ”. The consultations aim to bring down these fantasies, fed by parental fears or the ideals of adolescents.
First of all, these videos are aimed at parents who are worried about their child’s drinking. “No one is kidding themselves: young people rarely go to consult on their own,” specifies François Bourdillon, director general of Inpes. However, scientific data show that the involvement of families improves the success of interventions with adolescents. The goal is therefore to create a “CJC reflex ‘” in their adult entourage “.
There is a long way to go. According to a BVA survey for Inpes, while 94% of parents say they are concerned about their teen’s potentially addictive practices, only 16% of them have ever heard of CJC – and again, they have all the difficulties in the world to define them in detail.
Speak in “young” language
Of course, the national campaign also aims to popularize CJCs among the main stakeholders. And to do this, it is necessary to address young people in a register likely to interest them. Thus, from the end of January, audio spots will be broadcast on Skyrock radio.
“You have to speak with their language using their tools,” explains Danièle Jourdain Menninger, president of Mildeca. The campaign will also take place on social networks, with community management actions. Health forums will also be targeted. Wherever young people are, we will meet them ”.
(1) Interministerial mission to fight against drugs and addictive behaviors
(2) National Institute for Prevention and Health Education
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