“Drug deaths are getting younger and younger” was the headline last week after the Ministry of Health presented its latest drug report. An 18-year-old Viennese woman who is being tried for attempted robbery has lost two of her best friends to drug abuse. In the sad trial, the focus is not on the verdict. But concern for the addicted girl.
The statistics are one thing, the faces and stories behind the numbers are another. A few days after the Ministry of Health presented the current drug report, an 18-year-old girl is brought before the Vienna regional court in handcuffs. Father threatened to kill Verena (name changed) has to answer before the lay judge for several thefts and attempted robberies. “She stole perfume from drugstores to finance her addiction,” the prosecutor begins. The teenager has been heavily addicted to drugs since she was 16 years old. When her father withdrew financial support from her, she went to his apartment on October 10, 2023, kicked the door angrily and raged aggressively: “If you don’t give me money, I’ll kill you,” she shouted. Fearing his own daughter, the man made the emergency call that evening. During the thefts, Verena was with her friend, who was also an addict – and who has since died of an overdose. “It affected me when I read in the file that Naomi (not her real name) had died. She also sat in front of me years ago. “As a defendant and as a witness,” experienced juvenile judge Daniela Forcedleitner is shocked. “I’m very worried that she’ll start using again.” “Two friends died,” confirms the 18-year-old in a quiet voice. In the courtroom she admits: “I only said that I was going to kill him because I was impulsive. “I’m not a murderer.” The young woman makes an intelligent impression. Her subordinate clauses suggest bad childhood experiences. She admits: “I had strong suicidal thoughts. Now I’m feeling better. Imprisonment was good for me. I decided on therapy in Carinthia. I was promised a permanent place there.” She could start as early as next week. But what happens in the meantime if she is released after the trial? A social worker from the shared apartment where Verena lived before her arrest speaks up with concern: “We are very worried that she will go out and use again,” she says a seamless transition to therapy as goal-oriented. However, there is no provision for young people to be picked up and accompanied directly to inpatient drug treatment. A loophole in the law? Judge: “Number of drug deaths at a record high” “But by then there will no longer be any availability,” warns Ms. Rat as she issues a conditional instruction for inpatient care in the therapy center in Carinthia in addition to six months. “Only a few days ago read that the number of drug deaths has reached a record high… If they don’t do it now, I’m afraid it will end sadly. Now they have it in their hands. “Make something of your life,” is what Forceleitner tells the Viennese woman on her way to freedom. “In any case, I would like to thank you for the opportunity,” answers Verena. Only time will tell whether she will be able to use them. Maybe even in the next few hours.
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