208,000 young Belgians out of school and employment, prime target for drug traffickers
In Belgium, 208,000 young people aged 15 to 29 are neither in employment nor in education or training — criminal networks actively target them for dealing and violent missions.
Criminal recruitment: Belgium's "Neets" in the sights of drug networks
In Belgium, 208,000 young people aged 15 to 29 are not working and are neither receiving education nor training. According to DHnet, these young people — designated by the term "Neets" (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) — represent 9.8 per cent of their age group, according to figures from Statbel, the Belgian statistics office. Drug trafficking networks see a vast pool for recruitment.
The national drugs commissioner Ine Van Wymersch warns: "Anyone who finds little anchorage in education, training or the labour market can be more vulnerable to criminal networks that offer young people money, status or a sense of belonging." She stresses, however, that the entire group cannot be equated with young people who turn to crime.
Mapping the phenomenon by federal police
To better understand the scale of the problem, federal police are currently mapping recruitment, particularly via social networks. "Central and district services are collaborating to gather maximum information on age, profile, geographical distribution and recruitment methods, particularly via social networks," Interior Minister Bernard Quintin told a House committee.
The minister paints a worrying picture: young people are coming into contact with the criminal world at an increasingly early age, and the phenomenon is no longer confined to major cities. "It also affects suburban municipalities, small towns and rural regions," he specified. Minors and young adults are being used to deal drugs, transport drugs, commit offences and, increasingly, carry out violent missions.
An action plan until 2029
In response, a working group entitled "Young people in the criminal drug world" was created within the General Drug Policy Cell. Its action plan runs until 2029. Bernard Quintin outlines the approach: "This strategy advocates for a layered approach: informing and warning young people in good time, detecting early and redirecting those at risk of drifting, and holding young people involved accountable whilst accompanying them towards a legal future perspective."
The minister also emphasises the dimension of victimisation that is often overlooked. "A significant proportion of them acts under coercion, psychological manipulation or economic or emotional dependence. In some cases, this can correspond to the legal definition of human trafficking," he adds. He calls on police, youth protection and the welfare sector to recognise these young people as possible victims as well.
Regional initiatives and unaccompanied foreign minors
On the ground, Actiris in Brussels and Le Forem in Wallonia are developing initiatives to support Neets, with backing from the European Social Fund. The objective is to break the social isolation of these young people, restore their confidence in their skills and sustainably reintegrate them into the socio-economic fabric via direct links with shortage sectors and industry.
Ine Van Wymersch further draws attention to the situation of the 2,400 unaccompanied foreign minors (uafm) present in the capital. These young people are among traffickers' prime targets. "These young people, often very young, have already travelled a long way before arriving here and have frequently been victims throughout their migration journey of psychological, physical and sexual violence," she recalls.
The commissioner concludes with a moral imperative: "These young people need intensive support and sustainable reception. We cannot simply say they should never have been here. They are here, and it is our duty, as human beings, to give concrete content to the principle of human dignity, including for these children."
Source: DHnet