The municipal council in Groningen is currently developing guidelines to discourage excessive drinking at student associations in the city.
Translation by Traci White
The Groninger Internet Courant reports that the municipality is working together with the eight largest associations in the city to come up with ways to support more responsible drinking habits among their student members. The city will also consult with professionals from the GGD (municipal health services) and other external experts.
The city government has initiated the plans in response to a range of recent incidents at student associations, several of which were attributed in part to excessive alcohol consumption.
Groningen mayor Peter den Oudsten told RTV Noord that he would like to see the drinking culture at certain associations become a thing of the past, citing the role that drunkenness often plays in creating a hostile situation for members.
A spokesperson for the municipality says that the local government is still developing a list of potential guidelines, but possibilities include providing informational campaigns and offering more non-alcoholic drink options within the association buildings. The guidelines are expected to be presented in the municipal council in May.
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