Denmark: Christian Democrats propose free residential treatment for 400 people with alcohol addiction

22.10.2025 - The Christian Democrats in Denmark have presented a proposal that would offer free residential treatment to 400 people struggling with serious alcohol problems. The initiative, called “Glæd dig til at være ædru” (“Look forward to being sober”), aims both to help those affected and to save society millions in health and social costs.

The party suggests allocating 12.5 million kroner in each of Denmark’s four regions, a total of 50 million kroner, for a pilot project providing residential treatment to 100 people per region. The proposal targets individuals who seek help for alcohol problems, with special priority given to those responsible for children.

According to the party, the program could have wide-reaching benefits. “Every person suffering from alcohol addiction negatively affects three to five relatives. The pilot project could therefore potentially improve the lives of 1,200 to 2,000 people,” the party stated in its presentation. The Christian Democrats estimate that by helping 400 people achieve a stable life, society could save up to 80–120 million kroner annually in indirect costs.

Regional candidates and party leaders will present the proposal at a press conference in Copenhagen. Jens Erik Damgaard, the lead candidate in the Central Denmark Region, said: “We break with a system that doesn’t work well enough. Alcohol treatment today goes through municipal systems characterized by long case processing times and tight budgets. With this pilot program, we ensure earmarked funding and coherent treatment courses, so treatment does not drown in savings and bureaucracy.”

Anne-Marie Jørgensen, candidate in North Denmark, emphasized that the plan also focuses on hidden addiction. “There exists a large number of ordinary people with alcohol problems who negatively affect children, spouses, and colleagues. It’s also them we want to reach. The pilot project is aimed at those who are not already in the system but live with the addiction as a ticking bomb under family life.”

Paul Erik Planitzer from South Denmark highlighted the importance of timely support. “When it comes to addiction, timing is crucial. There must be quick access to help when the motivation is there—and long-term support afterward, when everyday life must be rebuilt.”

Jesper Housgaard, candidate in East Denmark, pointed to the broader social benefits: “Alcoholism is a family disease. When we help one person out of addiction, we help the whole family. We strengthen children’s well-being, marriages, and workplaces. At the same time, we save society millions.”

Party leader Jeppe Hedaa described the proposal as both compassionate and practical: “This pilot program will be so effective and sympathetic that I can only imagine all other parties will of course want to work with us to make it a reality. When this pilot succeeds, we can expand it further—and apply the same approach to other areas like psychiatry, dementia care, youth substance abuse, and domestic violence. We are ready.”

The Christian Democrats present the initiative as rooted in their core values. “This proposal is based on a fundamental Christian democratic idea: that every human being has value—not just as an individual but as part of a community,” the party said. “By investing in those who stand alone with responsibility and addiction, we show that Denmark is a country where humanity and economic responsibility go hand in hand.”

---

Source: Via Ritzau