The Logic Behind Paying Severe Alcoholics in Beer

You may have heard that Amsterdam is trying out a new way to deal with problem public drunks. Instead of arresting them, the city is setting them to work—and paying them in beer.

For just over a year, Amsterdam NGO Regenboog Groep (Rainbow Group) has been running the work scheme for formerly rowdy public drinkers in Amsterdam's Oosterpark. Working in two teams of 10, the participants spend six and a half hours a day, three days a week, sweeping and tidying up in the park. For this, they get €10, some rolling tobacco and five cans of beer. Rather than coming in one chunk, the beer allowance is doled out gradually as a way of encouraging attendance. Participants get two beers in the morning, two during a break and one when work ends, along with a hot meal.