Maxim in the fight for help: The failure of the welfare state exposed

Maxim in the fight for help: The failure of the welfare state exposed

The focus of a new episode of the MDR series “exactly” is the fate of Maxim, a young man from Halle who, after years of drug addiction and homelessness, manages to find his way back to life. Reporter Thomas Kaspar follows Maxim's ongoing struggle for a healthy and stable life. Although the 28-year-old has freed himself from his addiction, his fight for a dignified life is proving to be extremely arduous.

A year ago, Kaspar documented Maxim's path. From heroin to cocaine to crystal – Maxim has tried almost every drug that the party scene offered him. Over the years, this life led to constant decline, criminal activity and eventually homelessness, which brought him to the edge of his existence. It was a stroke and a suicide attempt that led him to accept help. Access to substitution therapy helped him get clean, but Maxim couldn't get out of homelessness. He is trapped in a system that does not offer him the support he desperately needs.

Confusing help system

Maxim is not alone in his despair; He has to deal with up to ten different authorities and institutions that should theoretically take on tasks in the area of ​​his stabilization. These include institutions such as drug support associations, the social welfare office, nursing care funds and various social workers and probation officers. However, a feeling of isolation and overwhelm remains. Maxim is overwhelmed by the bureaucracy; The correspondence with the authorities overwhelms him, while he feels neglected by the institutions.

A central voice in his fight is the professional supervisor Christian Jethon, who was responsible for Maxim for a few months. He criticizes the fact that the help system is confusing and consists of a multitude of responsibilities. The lack of coordination and coordination between the various institutions is said to be a significant obstacle. “The system is divided into different responsibilities and there are no guidelines as to how you should work with whom,” claims Jethon. His statement reveals the fundamental problems in the welfare state support system.

The latest episode of Maxim's story is now available in the ARD media library and is also presented on the YouTube channel “MDR Investigative”. It can also be seen on MDR television on October 23rd at 8:45 p.m. Under the title “No Apartment, No Help – How Maxim Fights and the State Fails” it offers deeper insights into Maxim's experiences and leaves room for questions about the effectiveness of state aid.

Maxim's situation is an example of the challenges faced by many people who want to break out of drug addiction but fail because of a rigid and confusing support system. In the documentary, Kaspar accompanies this story, which is characterized by many depths and questions the welfare state and brings the painful issue of homelessness to the fore. Further details can be found in the reporting on www.presseportal.de.