Discos and nightclubs will open again this weekend and the catering industry can also serve alcohol after 10 p.m. Information organizations seize these relaxations to point out to young people the discomfort they can feel while going out.
Both the Trimbos Institute (drink, drugs) and Rutgers (sex) have therefore started a campaign. “Finally, young people can flirt and party again. But how did that go again?” Rutgers says. The knowledge center speaks of a summer of love and wants to help young people to have “a fun, sexy and safe summer”, “with respect for each other’s wishes and boundaries”.
The Trimbos also points out to young people that they should not cross their own or other people’s boundaries. “You can always pop later,” says the institute.
On the Trimbos site uitpostcorona.nl, young people can refresh their memory to prevent accidents in a club or at a festival. “There are many stimuli that come to you, the music is loud, there are many people and there is a lot to see”, the site says. “So take a break every now and then and check with yourself how you’re doing.”
Daniëlle Ketelaars also expects that people can become overstimulated. She is a prevention worker for the Brabant addiction care institution Novadic-Kentron. “Your brain can become overloaded, leading to anxiety or panic attacks, especially when drugs are also used.”
Drug use is never without danger, she warns in the NOS Radio 1 News, but the risks are now greater than before. “Last year we were allowed very little and as people we are used to wanting to catch up. So the risk is that people will use more alcohol or drugs, while they are no longer used to that amount at all.”
She hopes that there will be enough social workers at parties to receive visitors with complaints. Festival organizations and club owners could also set up special ‘chill-out’ areas where visitors can retreat and relax.