Olivia (17) was terrified when she had to tell her fellow students about her parents’ drug problem

The theme for Nordic Speech Festival this year is dreams.

– My dream is that people who struggle with addiction should get help, says Olivia.

– At the same time, I don’t want this to be a “sippy speech”, that it should be a sin in me. I don’t see anything wrong with myself. My dream is only to shine a light on those who need help, and there are many of them, she says.

Worry about the reactions

When she gives her speech, it is the first time she tells publicly about her parents’ drug addiction.

– It has always been difficult for me when people ask “What do your parents do?”. At the same time, I know that I am not the only one who has this problem, but I do not feel that it is being talked about.

At times she has doubted whether it is right to talk about such a personal topic and has worried about the reactions that could come.

– I have had periods where I feel that it is mean to mum and dad. I don’t want them to be upset. But mum and dad have both heard the speech and support me. Dad actually comes and watches the performance. It will be strong.

Olivia has also been worried about what her fellow students at the Christian boarding school would think.

– I was terrified when I had to give the speech for the whole class and tell it to everyone for the first time.

But the reactions were not what she thought.

– I received so much positive feedback. It was a bit confusing actually, because I didn’t expect it at all, she says.

Be a fellow human being

The experience from growing up has affected Olivia’s relationship with drugs.

– I have been a little worried when friends have been doing it. Then I tried to ask them to stop and talk to someone, either me or a professional. Things can go wrong so quickly, and I don’t want anyone to fall into the same hole as my parents did.

She has made up her mind about the drug debate that is currently in the media. In the Christian faith subject, she will soon have a PowerPoint presentation on the legalization of hashish as an ethical problem.

– I am actually very neutral. I don’t think it does much harm to legalize it. At the same time, hashish is dangerous for young people and brain development. But there is also a problem that there is no age limit on it now, and you can only buy it on the street. If the state has some control over it, then I understand the argument that it can be safer to use, she believes.

The focus of her speech is not the legalization debate, but to be a fellow human being and talk to those who are struggling.

– It’s like that with all things, if you don’t talk about it, it won’t get better. It is impossible to get help if you do not dare to take the step. If you go around thinking that you want to help a friend with a drug problem, it doesn’t help to go around and think about it. You have to do something, you have to dare to have that conversation, no matter how difficult it may be. It can save someone’s future, urges Olivia.