Amsterdam alcoholics paid in beer for collecting litter

The organisers think other countries should abandon "old-fashioned political correctness" and adopt the same approach. Rene scours the streets, grasping at discarded wrappers. His movements are fuelled by a tangible pride. It is an unfamiliar emotion for a man whose alcohol addiction has cost him so much. "I have four children and three ex-wives, but alcohol has finished everything. I don't see them, they don't know where I am, or if I am alive. Now I have only him. He is there for 30 years, when times are good and bad, he is always there," he says, referring to his habit. His affectionate gaze travels downwards. It rests on an aluminium can. Chronic alcoholics have congregated inside a communal space, commandeered by the Rainbow Group. It is a private but primarily government-funded company, which helps those struggling to cope due to homelessness, drug abuse or alcoholism. Rene, 52, has just cracked open his third can of the day. It has just gone 11:30 in the morning. He is one of 20 alcoholics who have joined this initiative. They arrive at 09:00 and work until 15:00. They take extended breaks for beer, cigarettes and a hot lunch, all provided free of charge. The Rainbow Group is reluctant to say exactly how much the Dutch government pays towards the free beer, cautious of generating any negative publicity that might jeopardise their funding. When I asked other Dutch people about the project they all spoke in favour of it. Since the street-cleaning programme started 12 months ago, local police have received fewer reports of stabbings and muggings in the park. And all of the residents we spoke to said they were happy with the government supporting this unconventional approach. Instead of being ostracised by society, the alcoholics' needs appear to have been incorporated into the Dutch healthcare system. The Rainbow Group is optimistic their success so far will attract more funding and help them to reach the unreachable. Other cities in the Netherlands are now considering introducing similar schemes. Source: BBC News