Addiction clinic Elsden Clinics in Assen responded with surprise to the placement of a beer tent right in front of the entrance to the building. The tent was built for the Asser City Festival, without the clinic being informed.
“It’s a strange sensation,” says Meino de Vries from the clinic. “The event is only on Sunday, so why are you already building it up on Friday? And then for addiction care.”
According to De Vries, the construction of the tent started in the morning. Later that day, he said, the structure was directly adjacent to the building. “We have made an effort to get a healthcare institution here. With the TT there is sometimes a tent, but never so close to the building. Clients and employees now have to go through the tap to go in and out.”
“It came as a surprise to us,” De Vries continues. “And then you wonder: who should you call for this? They are already busy with the construction and it is difficult to talk to those people about it.”
The situation directly affected the work in the clinic. “Employees were working downstairs, but the focus was no longer on that. The focus on the treatment was gone and I really resent that.”
“It is difficult for any company, but if you put up a beer tent at a mental health institution that is open as normal, then you are really tone deaf,” says De Vries.
He also points out the impact the situation can have on clients. “Of course people make jokes about it and I understand that. But people who don’t use don’t realize how serious addiction care sometimes is and how hard people try not to use.”
De Vries emphasizes that the institution is not against events in the city center. “We are in a beautiful location on the Brink and we love it when there are a lot of organisations. As far as we are concerned, they organize something every weekend. But we have to respect each other. You do this not only by saying it, but also by showing it.”
The organization of the Asser City Festival does not want to comment on the situation.
