In Kreis Düren, public health officials are launching a targeted campaign to raise awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), a lifelong condition caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. According to the Kreis Düren administration, a self-determined daily life remains out of reach for the vast majority of affected adolescents and adults.
Traveling Exhibition ZERO! Arrives in Kreis Düren
To promote prevention and education, the Kreis Düren district administration is partnering with the city of Düren and Caritas Suchthilfe Düren-Jülich to host the traveling exhibition “ZERO!” Developed by the FASD-Netzwerk Nordbayern e.V., the exhibition runs from September 7 through September 11, coinciding with International FASD Day on September 9. The event takes place in room 158 at the Kreishaus, located at Bismarckstraße 16.
Organizers have opened the exhibition to students starting from the 9th grade, network partners, and interested local residents. Visitors spend roughly 90 minutes moving through multiple interactive stations designed to illustrate fetal development, the biological timeline of pregnancy, and the specific triggers that can lead to drinking during pregnancy.
According to the exhibition organizers, visitors encounter digital screens where individuals living with FASD share their personal hurdles in managing daily routines. Additional educational features include an impairment simulation using “drunkenness goggles” (Rauschbrillenparcours) and an interactive quiz. Representatives from local early support programs (Frühen Hilfen), the health department, and Caritas Suchthilfe remain on-site throughout the exhibition to answer questions and lead discussions.
Registration and Public Access
Participation in the exhibition requires prior registration through the official North Rhine-Westphalia participation portal. Individuals seeking additional details about the schedule or local prevention initiatives can contact organizers via email at fruehehilfen@kreis-dueren.de.