I, CHRISTIANE F., 13 YEARS OLD, DRUG ADDICT, PROSTITUTED...

When, in early 1978, we met Christiane F.—then 15—she was testifying in a Berlin court. We asked her for an interview as part of a research project on youth issues. We had budgeted two hours for the interview, but it turned into two months. From interviewers, we became passionate and deeply moved listeners. This book was born from the recording of Christiane F.'s testimony. We believe that this story teaches more than the best-documented report on the situation of a large segment of the youth population. Christiane F. wanted this book to be published. Like almost all drug addicts, she wanted to break the oppressive silence surrounding the issue of drug use among adolescents. All the survivors of the "gang," as well as their parents, supported our project and agreed, to reinforce the authenticity of this document, to publish their names and photographs. However, we do not mention the surnames of the families. Along with Christiane F.'s testimony, we have added statements from her mother and other people who cared for her, thus completing the analysis with a different perspective. KAI HERMANN / HORST RIECK