Netherlands

Medicine Theft in Dutch Healthcare: Opiates, Dismissals, and Addiction.

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Healthcare in the Netherlands faces rising medicine theft, with over 50% linked to opiates. Hospitals report dismissals amid shortages, addiction concerns, and evolving staff challenges.

Today, Friday, December 13, 2024, the NTR news in the Netherlands announced that more than 50% of employees in healthcare institutions regularly steal narcotic drugs from the medicine cabinets of the institutions where they work. The theft of medicines (opiates) in the Netherlands is punishable by immediate dismissal

Due to more recent studies in this area, many hospitals have conducted further research on their own opiate stockpiles. Despite the many safety measures already taken, and although the threshold for this abuse has been raised, many issues remain. In particular, sleeping pills and heavy painkillers are too often the target of theft. The Health Care Inspectorate has now calculated for the first time that from 2021 to 2023, this issue resulted in nearly 100 instances of instant dismissal.Naturally, the question arises: why? Why do doctors and nurses turn to these drugs? Recent research indicates that in a small number of cases, the issue was due to stock lists not being properly completed. However, it was also noted that some employees later admitted they had indeed abused the situation.

Picture:: Healthcare Finance News

If we consider the thefts in absolute numbers, the largest number of immediate dismissals occurred in hospitals (47), nursing home care (47), primary care (7), and care for the disabled and mental health care (2 each). Altogether, there were 95 immediate dismissals due to these thefts. When this number is viewed in the context of total healthcare employees, it means one person is fired approximately every two weeks, according to Janet Helder, Chief Inspector of the IGJ. Janet emphasizes that, given the severe shortage of healthcare workers, these dismissals are particularly difficult to manage. She also believes the problem is likely more extensive than what is currently known.Ron Nieuwendijk, from the research agency Hoffman, agrees that the abuse is likely underreported. He notes that there are numerous cases where the perpetrator has not been identified, meaning these instances are not reported to the IGJ. Janet Helder also suspects these thefts may be linked to addiction issues among healthcare workers. Marlies de Rond of the KNMG medical federation highlights that addiction is a severe brain disease that is treatable.

Finally, Ron Nieuwendijk mentioned that he has also encountered situations where severely demented patients no longer receive their medication because it simply disappears. Eva de Bres-Riemslag, manager of care and operations at Northwest Hospital in Alkmaar, shared that they have reduced the rate of abuse from over 50% to 30% through innovative strategies, though this is still a significant problem.Houke Klomp, a member of the Board of Directors of Northwest Hospital, shared her perspective, stating that while she was aware of the high rates of medication abuse, the sheer scale remains shocking. She suggests that the issue may arise from the changing rhythms of life among healthcare workers, who often face the challenges of flexible shifts.

Terrorist Bombing in The Hague Leaves Six Dead, Four Injured

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Bomb attack in The Hague kills six, injures four. Police suspect terrorism. Rescue teams continue search. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander visit site.
Bomb attack in The Hague kills six, injures four. Police suspect terrorism. Rescue teams continue search. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander visit site.
picture: NU.nl

Bomb attack in The Hague kills six, injures four. Police suspect terrorism. Rescue teams continue search. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander visit site.

The Netherlands was suddenly startled last Saturday at 06.15 AM by a bomb attack in which six people were killed to this day. The explosion took place in the Dutch residence city of The Hague, the place from which Dutch is governed. Until today, new victims have been pulled out from under the rubble every day. The precision cause is not yet on the table, but it is increasingly certain that a terrorist attack was attacked. The sixth lifeless body was found in the basement of the building hit by the bombing, according to the Haaglanden Safety Region. The three-stored porch flat in the Mariahoeve district of The Hague contained five houses, so the explosion has nothing left standing. Fortunately, the number of wounded four found under the rubble was not too bad. Three of them had to be rushed to the hospital, while one person was slightly injured, this person was housed in a "shelter."

Who were the fatalities?

The identities of four of the fatalities found so far in the explosion are two men aged 31 and 45, a 41-year-old woman, and a young girl aged 17. The 31-year-old man is from Voorburg, the other man, the woman and the girl of only seventeen years old came from The Hague as far as is known. The police have not yet released anything about the fifth and sixth victims. As I mentioned earlier in this post, the exact cause of the disastrous explosion is not yet known. However, the entire Dutch police force is looking for a car, which would have driven away from the crash site "at high speed" just before the explosion. Queen Maxima and King Willem Alexander visited the crash site today. Earlier this day, the investigation team also announced that, according to some witnesses, first a small and

immediately after a large explosion was observed. There was also later talk about the fact that because of this explosion, a total of nineteen homes have now been declared uninhabitable. A wounded person who was pulled out from under the rubble twelve hours after the explosion turned out to be a very popular volunteer from the neighborhood.

Are there more victims under the rubble?

The search for possible further victims of this "cowardly" attack is still in full swing. This "search" is very dangerous for the many rescue workers because of the high risk of collapse of the affected buildings. The police do not yet want to release anything about the identity of the car that drove away at full speed in the attack. However, the police did announce that, according to earlier research they did in the affected neighborhood, and in the affected building, striking activities had been observed, more later.

Rising Online Fraud: Protect Yourself This Holiday Season

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Common scams include non-delivery, counterfeit products, and payment misuse. While digital advancements offer convenience, it's crucial to verify sellers, check reviews, and use secure payment methods to avoid fraud this holiday season.

Online shopping faces growing fraud risks, with 350 million euros lost annually in the Netherlands alone. Common scams include non-delivery, counterfeit products, and payment misuse. While digital advancements offer convenience, it's crucial to verify sellers, check reviews, and use secure payment methods to avoid fraud this holiday season.

Does the internet and marketing still have a future in this world? Do you also think the "positive" developments in the world are so fantastic? Our letters no longer take long to reach their recipients, the telephone bill no longer exists in many cases, we no longer have piles of CDs at home, and almost everyone is working towards better health and a healthier environment. Common scams include non-delivery, counterfeit products, and payment misuse. While digital advancements offer convenience, it's crucial to verify sellers, check reviews, and use secure payment methods to avoid fraud this holiday season.

It has just been announced that in the Netherlands, a third of customers who buy something online have to deal with some form of fraud. We’re talking about an amount of 350 million euros per year! Recent research also shows that the most common types of fraud are: "paying but not receiving the product, counterfeit products, and payment details that are misused at a later stage." The industries most affected by internet fraud, according to research, are: "Fashion 26%, consumer electronics 11%, and beauty and health products 8%. Most fraud cases occur with international suppliers.

Is sufficient control over the internet even possible?According to insiders, most fraud takes place through payments made via banks (42%). Fortunately, most banks have become a little more accommodating with cashback schemes. But with most banks, this is almost always only possible if the payment in question involves an automatic payment arrangement, i.e. a direct debit! You know as well as I do that you don’t typically use direct debits for Christmas gifts. So, pay attention to your purchases this holiday season, verify the seller, listen to previous buyers, and see if you can opt to pay for delivery when making expensive purchases. In all honesty, I only see internet fraud increasing, while control (by the police and politics) is only decreasing, even though the press releases from the police and politicians are full of claims about how good they are and how many employees they continue to hire. What I want to say is: "Forewarned is forearmed!" It's better to check twice than once too little! Even if you don’t live in the Netherlands, think about the entrepreneur who works hard in your own country, town, or street. From my hometown of Baarn in the Netherlands, I wish you happy shopping and a very merry holiday season.

Robert Jensen’s Comeback: Baudet on Automation and the Future

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A television phenomenon from Dutch television history is making a comeback on the internet. Many stories are told about the time when almost every Dutch family would sit in front of the television in the evening with a cup of coffee or a beer. Think of names like Mies Bouman, Willem Duys, and Willem Ruis. These names may sound familiar to you as well, although in other countries they might be known by different names. But times change quickly, and that also applies to the things the average person spends their evenings doing. Around 1995, the internet started drawing many television viewers away from their TVs. Many of the presenters I mentioned earlier have since passed away or lost the battle to the internet, but a few managed to make the transition, or even stay active on both media.

Robert Jensen, former Veronica host, now hosts a podcast with controversial politician Thierry Baudet, discussing automation and the future.

On Saturday evening, I had the opportunity to attend the recording of one of these former television presenters, who has made the switch to the internet in a remarkably subtle way. Okay, he may be somewhat more controversial than many of his predecessors, and he is not always well-appreciated by everyone, but Robert Jensen – born in Denmark and trained in Canada as a radio and TV presenter – the man who once held an executive position at the renowned Dutch broadcaster Veronica, was recording his new podcast show in the TV studios in Almere for an attentive audience and the camera.

Together with his ever-hardworking assistant Niels, Robert produced yet another one of his fabulous shows, this time specially for the internet. As a special guest, Robert welcomed Thierry Baudet (born January 28, 1983), one of the most controversial politicians in the Netherlands, with whom he discussed the future of the world. Baudet tried to convince the audience of his vision, in which he predicted an even greater wave of automation. There were also audience members present who believed that Dutch legislation should be adjusted to better protect the citizens. However, Baudet saw little chance of these changes, as he argued that the Netherlands should adapt to the rest of the world. I wholeheartedly recommend that you watch this show. The website for his shows is Jensen.nl. In my opinion, it is the kind of program that everyone around the world should see and hear.

Woodland Retreat Rich in Historical Heritage, Royal Neighbours, and Anna Paulowna’s Legacy

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Picture: Anna Pawlowna: Bron : Historiek

My loyal readers will know by now that I live with my wife Monique and our two kittens, Rose and Joey, and our puppy Pip in the beautiful, wooded area of princely Baarn. This is a place in the Netherlands where part of the Dutch royal family also resides. It is a picturesque, wooded area nestled between the more famous Dutch cities of Utrecht and Amsterdam. In the past, the old nobility who lived in these big cities liked to retreat here to escape the stresses of urban life. These wealthy individuals preferred to travel by horse and cart, turning a journey of thirty kilometers as the crow flies into a trip that could sometimes take days.

Do you ever take a trip to green nature?

Baarn boasts many colossal houses and castles from this affluent past, where these noblemen used to reside. Practically speaking, we are almost neighbors with Princess Beatrix, the former Queen of the Netherlands. Just one garden away lies the world-famous Soestdijk Palace. In earlier years, King William II lived here with the beautiful Russian Grand Princess Anna-Paulowna (1795-1865), whom he was allowed to marry by the Russian Tsar Nicholas because he had outwitted the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. Did you know that her father, Paul Romanov, died when this beautiful princess was six years old? His brother Alexander was part of the assassination plot.

Indeed, a great Romanov in the beautiful Baarn nature. The landscape looked very different in earlier years. Many of the forests around Baarn were planted to provide timber for building large galleys for naval battles. Nature, in my eyes, is our greatest treasure. The oxygen factory that we, as humanity, so desperately need to survive on our insanely beautiful Earth.

Do you ever worry about oxygen deprivation?

Oxygen seems to be becoming increasingly rare within our draughty circle. Listening to this beautiful Earth, which can take such good care of us, is often foreign to us as human beings. We have cultivated this world further and further according to our desires. If you pick up a history book on a beautiful sunny summer day, you can read that through the influence of you and me, and our "beloved" ancestors, much has been adapted to this beautiful planet in practical ways.

Does survival come at a price?

Currently, new insights are constantly emerging about humans and our Earth. The latest insights tell us that there were not very few people living on Earth as always thought, but that the people on Earth simply did not know of each other's existence. In many cases, "primitive people" "just" lived alongside each other. There is evidence that ancient man could pass each other without noticing. They lived in places where they could hunt well. Hunting was a way to survive. When the game became scarce in the place where they were staying at that time, they simply moved on to another spot.

Yes, that was the way of survival until a certain group discovered how to grow crops. As a result, they had to settle in a certain place to maintain these crops. These places became stopping points where more and more people settled. These people, in turn, cultivated these environments. The cultivation and development are still ongoing, because we, as humans, are driven to reproduce further and further. Why? Probably because our parents said so. So, man continued with his self-serving behavior. You know the rest: "Man adapted the earth more and more to his wishes."

Has man taken too much from the earth?

Man had to and wanted to survive according to his own ideas and had no time, and probably no insights, into what he was causing. The earth was deteriorating without these people from prehistoric times and those in the further development of time consciously noticing this. But you and I, currently? Well, the "economic powers-that-be" tell us through the best marketing messages that we must eat and live differently. The Catholic Church still believes that having children is one of the most important things in life. So, the world's population is expanding, and no one outside the Catholic Church knows why. The stock market is partly about turnover, but people mean more turnover, and rising shares.

"The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer." Healthy and "well" grown vegetables are becoming more and more expensive, and the food-producing companies based on the African mainland produce for the West. Contraceptives are also forbidden by the church there, so humanity continues to grow. Humanity continues to bend everything to its own will; it cultivates the earth according to its desires. I always learned from my parents that you must be content with what you have, but does the rest of humanity feel the same way? Survival and cultivation seem to be in our genes. We shape the earth according to our wishes, but was the earth ever meant for this? And is having children one of the most important things on our planet?

Fierce Battle in Dutch Politics Continues.

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Politics often feels out of reach for voters, raising questions about real influence. Coalition politics can dilute party promises, and media, especially social media, complicates informed decision-making. Despite these challenges, voting remains crucial to ensure diverse voices are heard and represented, offering hope that desired changes will eventually be realized in a democratic system.

Picture: Rollingstone UK

Will My Desired Changes Come About?

First and foremost, I hope you live in a free and democratic country where you, as a resident, can influence government policy. But how much influence can you have in such a democracy? Indeed, you can go to the polls several times a year on various topics. These meetings are often announced with great fanfare on television and radio, and newspapers are full of them. Parties shout slogans they believe will impress us as voters. Depending on their position on the political spectrum, they highlight issues they think will garner support.

Is the Message Reaching Me the Right Way?

Political messages that were spread by word of mouth in the past now reach us through diverse media. A notable example is the American elections in which Barack Obama participated. For the first time, social media was used extensively, giving Obama a significant advantage. He felt closer to the people, and many more received his message with minimal effort. Just before the election deadline, "last call" messages were sent to ensure no one forgot to vote.

Is Politics Still Worth It?

From my previous stories about human influence, you know how our subconscious affects our choices for products or services. This process also applies to politics. During election campaigns, "key words" that influence our perception are used extensively. We are manipulated wholeheartedly. Why? Every political party wants to be the biggest, or at least big enough to govern. They hope their message reaches as many people as possible, making us think it’s meant just for us, promising benefits in one way or another.

Does Politics Give Us the Power We Aspire To?

Too few people spend enough time studying the political programs of various parties. Many don’t have the time due to their busy lives and would rather do something fun. So, they often rely on the "political truths" they hear from others. When the message is repeated ten times, it seems more credible. Political parties aim to be the biggest but almost always have to form a coalition after elections. During coalition formation, what happens to the messages shouted before and during elections? Can parties live up to their promises under pressure from coalition partners? Where is their promise to the electorate?

Will Your Utmost Effort Still Be Rewarded?

Before elections, you listen to all the manifestos. You view, listen to, and read them across various media. You know exactly which party you support! You set aside time to vote, maybe taking time off work and arranging a babysitter. You stand in the voting booth and make your choice. Then, you follow the election results. Your party gets the votes needed to negotiate for a new cabinet. They have a say, and a political agreement is reached on the "broad outlines." Unfortunately, this agreement doesn’t mention the points that motivated your vote. Despite your efforts, you feel deceived. But then you think, "In four years, I can vote again, and it will work out better." Many believe democracy has triumphed again, but have you truly been represented?

The Role of Media in Modern Politics

In today’s world, the media, especially social media, plays a crucial role in shaping political opinions and outcomes. The Obama campaign's success in leveraging social media highlights how political messages can reach a vast audience quickly and effectively. This method allows politicians to engage directly with voters, bypassing traditional media filters. However, it also raises concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the information being disseminated. The rise of "fake news" and misinformation can mislead voters, making it more challenging to make informed decisions.

The Importance of Being an Informed Voter

Given the complexity of modern politics, it is more important than ever to be an informed voter. This means not only listening to the slogans and promises during election campaigns but also critically evaluating the political programs of various parties. It involves understanding the nuances of policy proposals and the potential impact they could have on your life and society at large. While this requires time and effort, it is crucial for ensuring that your vote truly reflects your values and interests.

Conclusion

In a democratic system, the influence of individual voters on policy can feel minimal, especially when coalition politics dilute party promises. The widespread use of media, including social media, has transformed political campaigning, bringing messages directly to voters but also raising questions about manipulation and the true efficacy of voting. While it may seem discouraging when the issues you care about aren’t prioritized, the act of voting remains a crucial part of democratic participation. It ensures that the diverse voices and concerns of the population are at least part of the conversation, even if not always the dominant part. Despite the imperfections, participating in elections is a way to hold on to the hope that, eventually, your desired changes will come about.

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