D66 wants to reward homeless drug addicts in Amsterdam for good behavior: motion receives majority support in council
The Amsterdam city council is expected to pass a motion allowing for financial rewards to be given to drug-addicted homeless individuals who maintain good behavior or undergo treatment. The initiative, supported by D66 and PRO, also calls for intensified outreach efforts to help those with severe psychiatric and addiction problems transition off the streets into professional care.
The Amsterdam city council is set to approve a motion introduced by the D66 party, supported by PRO, to tackle drug-related nuisance and homelessness. The proposal utilizes contingency management, a therapeutic strategy that provides financial rewards to addicts for remaining drug-free, attending treatment, or behaving in a way that minimizes public disruption. Experts estimate that individual incentives could range from 150 to 400 euros over several months, with funding potentially coming from health insurers. The initiative aims to create a window of opportunity to guide individuals toward long-term recovery.
In addition to the reward system, the motion advocates for proactive outreach to assist individuals suffering from severe psychiatric conditions and addiction. By fostering better coordination between healthcare providers, the GGD, and the police, the city hopes to remove vulnerable individuals from the streets and place them into structured care. While officials acknowledge that these measures will not reach everyone, they view the plan as a necessary step to address the growing crisis in Amsterdam, which Mayor Femke Halsema has previously identified as a consequence of broader national policy issues.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
