In the gymnasium of I LO in Bolesławiec, the “Future of St. Luke’s Hospital Gala” was held on October 25. It was a private event for employees of the county hospital. Alcohol was served during the event. The drinks had names referring to medical situations, including “stat!”, “resuscitation,” “oxygen saturation,” “death” and “emergency duty.”

We uncovered the case and were the first to describe it in the article “Alcohol at a gala in a school hall. Controversy after St. Luke’s Hospital event”. National media outlets such as Gazeta Wyborcza and Wprost later quoted us and also described the problematic situation involving alcohol in the hall next to the school. Gazeta Wyborcza was in turn quoted by right-wing media outlets, which heavily criticized the Bolesławiec hospital. The articles wrote about employees who “held an alcohol-soaked gala” under the leadership of the director, a PSL politician.

– The foundation provided comprehensive support for the undertaking. The serving of alcoholic beverages was handled by an entity holding the relevant license, in order to ensure full compliance with the applicable regulations – explained an anonymous person from Fundacja Wspierajmy Zdrowie in response to our question.

Ewa Węglarowicz-Makowska, press spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra, told us that the Bolesławiec prosecutor’s office was not carrying out procedural activities in this case and instructed us to contact the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters for information. We did so, and on November 24 received the following message:

– Activities are being conducted in connection with the provisions of the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism – wrote Anna Kublik-Rościszewska, spokesperson for the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters Anna Kublik-Rościszewska.

What is the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety about?

The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism is the basis for state actions intended to reduce the harm associated with drinking alcohol. The act focuses on three main areas: first, it restricts the sale and advertising of alcohol; second, it promotes a life without alcohol; and third, it protects important public places, including schools, from the influence of alcohol. The latter point is particularly significant in the case of alcohol being served and consumed during a gala held in the sports hall next to the secondary school.

The act introduces an absolute ban on the sale, serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages on school premises. The ban applies to everyone, not only students, because its purpose is to protect the school environment as a place of learning and education. It also applies to events organized after school hours or intended for adult guests.

It should be added that the gala for hospital employees was not organized by the school. “After signing the agreement to rent the premises of the sports hall at I Liceum Ogólnokształcące in Bolesławiec, responsibility for organizing the event rests with the tenant,” explained the school’s head Cezary Czernatowicz.

What if the case concerns a sports hall at a school?

According to the judgment of the Administrative Court, Białystok Branch Office, dated March 21, 2002 (case reference SA/Bk 1278/2001):

(...), when it comes to the concept or definition of a school facility as a protected facility, there can be no doubt that this refers not only to the school building, but also to the area around or adjacent to the school used by students (…) (the sports field, lawns and play areas). (…) In any event, the concept of a school facility cannot be equated solely with the school building. Therefore, the boundary of the school as a protected facility is equivalent to the boundary of the property and the area on which the school building and other facilities used by students for recreation and sports are located.

We are now waiting for the police to take action. We will report on the case.