WILLEMSTAD – The Fundashon pa Maneho di Adikshon (FMA) is calling for addiction to be officially recognized as a disease in Curaçao, arguing that such recognition would provide better protection and support for people seeking treatment.
The appeal comes as the organization marks its 29th anniversary of providing prevention, education and voluntary treatment services for individuals struggling with addiction.
According to FMA, formally recognizing addiction as a medical condition would allow people undergoing treatment to be considered medically unfit for work, enabling them to retain their income while focusing on recovery.
The organization said that under the current system, individuals admitted for addiction treatment may face financial hardship because they risk losing their salary or having difficulty meeting other financial obligations during their rehabilitation.
FMA describes addiction as a mental health disorder and believes this should be reflected in public policy and employment practices. The foundation argues that official recognition would improve opportunities for rehabilitation and help clients successfully reintegrate into the workforce and society.
Over the past 29 years, FMA says it has supported thousands of clients and their families through counseling, treatment and prevention programs. During that time, the organization has also experienced periods of financial difficulty, forcing it to close or restructure some of its departments.
Since 2020, FMA has operated under GGz Curaçao, the island's mental health care organization.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to expand its focus on young people and women, increase community-based treatment outside its own facilities, and strengthen prevention programs in neighborhoods across Curaçao.
FMA also hopes to deepen its collaboration with schools, healthcare providers and other community organizations as part of a broader effort to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage more people to seek help.
The organization believes that recognizing addiction as a disease would not only improve access to treatment but also remove barriers that often discourage individuals from beginning the recovery process.