THE DEBATE. Is an alcohol ban for youth camps a good idea? † Inland

The Walloon municipalities of Florenville, Chiny, Bouillon (all three provinces of Luxembourg) and Andenne (province of Liège) are banning alcohol this summer during youth camps, ‘Le Soir’ reported this weekend. According to the mayor of Florenville, Caroline Godfrin, the police and the Walloon service for nature and forests had to turn out several times last year because things went wrong. “We have situations that are really problematic. These are usually caused by groups from Flanders. I would point out that most camps are located on a watercourse,” said Godfrin, pointing out the safety hazards.

Godfrin explains that with the new regulations there will be no intervention “if the young people remain reasonable and drink a beer in the evening. But in the opposite case, we have a basis by which to say that the behavior was unacceptable. We will then be able to point out their responsibilities to those responsible, which can go up to and including an eviction.”

Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen understands the concerns of the local communities where camps are located, but a general alcohol ban for one specific target group is “a bridge too far” for spokesman Jan Van Reusel. He argues for awareness raising and dialogue with local authorities. “Wherever people come together, be it a festival, a campsite or a youth camp, it is important that the environment is taken into account. We can assume that this does not always go as it should, that sometimes a pint is drunk too much or the music is too loud,” Van Reusel responds.

Still, Van Reusel asks “certainly not to dramatize”. About 2,000 camps are organized every summer, and Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen are only occasionally notified of an incident. “This is certainly not a general trend,” emphasizes the spokesman. He thinks it is normal for action to be taken when people break the line, but a general alcohol ban against one specific target group is “a bridge too far”. “We are concerned about stigmatizing generalization. That image is absolutely wrong. Is there actually a legal framework for this?”

Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen will contact the municipalities involved and try to make agreements. In any case, the organization recommends its scout groups to contact the local authorities prior to the camp. She also sensitizes the groups in the run-up to the camps to be “ambassadors” who take into account noise, waste or other nuisance for local communities. “We have tens of thousands in charge with a great sense of responsibility and commitment to be welcome guests with their children and young people,” assures Van Reusel.

Just like the Scouts, the Chiro also says it wants to enter into a dialogue with the municipalities involved. The youth movement organization itself has not noticed an increase in the number of complaints about alcohol use, says national secretary Niels De Ceulaer at ‘VRT NWS’. “If it now turns out that alcohol is actually a problem in the municipality, we will look into raising awareness about this,” says De Ceulaer. “Actually, we think that ban is fairly far-reaching and we think the best solution is to enter into a dialogue in the first instance.”

The Flemish Expertise Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs understands the municipalities that have now imposed a ban, although it has confidence in the youth movements themselves to continue working on this. “We have worked closely with youth movements in the past when drawing up a policy on alcohol use, so they are in the best position to enter into a dialogue with the municipalities about this,” says Katleen Peleman, director of the VAD.

Peleman hopes, however, that the message from the municipalities involved will not be lost in this discussion. “This is a clear signal from the municipalities involved that there has been nuisance there, which should not be ignored,” she says. According to her, the ban should therefore be seen more as “a big stick” for when things really get out of hand. “I don’t think people will go out on the camp grounds to confiscate all the alcohol,” she concludes.

Not necessary and a disproportionate rule, according to Flemish Minister of Youth Benjamin Dalle (CD&V). He also argued this weekend for more dialogue between the associations and the camp municipalities. “This ban is not necessary: ​​talk to each other, make agreements. Then these kinds of disproportionate rules are not necessary. Our youth movements should not be targeted. Very unfortunate,” said Dalle on Twitter.

State Secretary for Asylum and Migration and the presumed new CD&V chairman Sammy Mahdi are also not in favor of an alcohol ban in camp. “We forbid and patronize our society. Responsibility and trust are making way for an all-determining government that now also forbids young people to have a beer at camp. So sad,” he wrote on Twitter.

And now it’s up to you. What is your opinion? Let us know in the comments below this article. We are bundling the most fascinating reactions in a new piece tonight.