A sewer investigation into drug use and drug dumping in De Wolden is a pricey issue. A year and a half ago, a measurement seemed to cost the municipality 30,000 euros, now that price is much higher and there are some hooks and eyes.
This is apparent from a letter from De Wolden. At the end of 2023, the Municipal Executive was instructed to see if a sewer investigation is possible. The party hopes to get a better picture of drug use in the municipality.
That is possible, but testing costs around 60,000 euros. And with that only a third of the sewer can be investigated, says De Wolden. A larger study would therefore cost even more.
There is a possibility to reduce the costs by doing the research together with another municipality, such as Staphorst. The sewage of both municipalities crosses each other. That could result in a saving of 5,000 euros.
It also looked at whether De Wolden could join a national investigation by the GGD and the RIVM. Inquiries from the municipality only show that this research has never been started, so participating is falling.
It is true that from November 2023 to November 2025 the RIVM and the Trimbos Institute are researching drug residues in the sewer in five places in the Netherlands. A test commissioned by the empire.
De Wolden is not eligible for that, precisely because the sewage water crosses with that of Staphorst. As a result, the investigation cannot be carried out properly in the letter from the municipality.
Due to the costs, De Wolden therefore contributes an alternative. Participate in the safety monitor in the Netherlands. This is a nationally recurring population screening that also looks at drug use.
The municipality says it will participate once every four years. That could also be done in this case to map out drug use. The research will probably start in the spring in 2026.
The municipality’s proposal is to discuss all options with the city council. That must take place somewhere in May.
Not every party was eager for a drug investigation through the sewer when it was suggested. For example, the VVD at the time was not a bigger problem in the municipality.
For example, Eline Kippers-van Lint stated that De Wolden is number one regarding alcohol consumption in the Netherlands. According to Mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen, that was a bit more nuanced. De Wolden scores poorly on alcohol consumption among 18-year-olds compared to other municipalities in Drenthe, she stated.