Team OOV Career Minor

Our team is excited to announce the completion of our assignment and project. Over the past months, we have worked closely with the Openbare Orde & Veiligheid (Public Order & Safety) department of the municipality of Groningen to research the negative effects of recreational drug use in the city. We are very proud of our achievements and the insights gained during this project.

Our research aimed to address the key question: How can the negative effects on safety due to recreational drug use among people aged 16 to 29 in the municipality of Groningen be reduced? To answer this, we employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

We conducted an extensive survey, which received an impressive 577 usable responses, providing us with a broad and representative dataset. Additionally, we carried out in-depth interviews with experts, including law enforcement officials, and professionals with knowledge of drug trade dynamics. This combination of approaches enabled us to develop well-informed conclusions.

Key Findings

One of the most significant insights from our research is that recreational drug use is highly normalized among young people in Groningen. Our survey results revealed that 61.3% of respondents frequently hear open discussions about drug use within their social circles. This normalization contributes to increased consumption, particularly in social settings such as festivals, house parties, and student gatherings.

Furthermore, our research highlighted that the most commonly used drugs among young people in Groningen are cannabis, MDMA, and MMC (2-, 3-, 4-MMC). Cocaine use was also prevalent, with many users indicating that it is easy to obtain. This accessibility plays a crucial role in sustaining the high levels of drug consumption observed.

Final Deliverables

Our project resulted in a Background Research Report and a Policy Advice Report, which provide insights and recommendations on reducing the negative impact of recreational drug use. Key areas of focus include awareness and education, harm reduction strategies, policy adjustments, and community engagement.

We hope that our findings and recommendations can contribute to the development of more effective policies to tackle the issues surrounding recreational drug use in Groningen.

We want to extend our gratitude to our supervisor, Dr. Sipke de Hoop, the OOV advisors, and everyone who contributed their expertise to this research. We are proud of our contribution to this important issue and look forward to seeing the positive impact of our work in the future.

Linde, Tessa, Sil, Twan, Jason, Martijn, and Thijs from Team OOV