WILLEMSTAD - The Brasami addiction treatment clinic on Curaçao is facing a deepening financial crisis that threatens its ability to continue providing care.The clinic has been structurally underfunded for years, receiving 20 to 40 percent less subsidy than required each year since 2015.
This year alone, the shortfall has reached 1.6 million guilders, putting essential services for people struggling with addiction in serious jeopardy.
Psychologist and board member Ijolène Constancia explains that Brasami currently receives 280 guilders per patient per day. However, the cost of providing high-complexity care is much higher—between 450 and 550 guilders per day. Other healthcare institutions on the island receive up to 564 guilders daily for comparable services.
The situation is even more dire for detained individuals sent to Brasami for treatment. The Ministry of Justice only covers meal expenses, offering no funding for the specialized clinical care required.
Underfunding has led to a shortage of specialized staff, gaps in treatment protocols, and significant strain on existing personnel. Despite this, the clinic has made progress in recent years by developing a multidisciplinary team and improving care standards.
Brasami currently treats an average of 23 clients per month and continues to face waiting lists for assessments and treatment. Under its continuity plan, the clinic can sustainably support 19 clients at a time—12 residential patients and 7 outreach clients receiving intensive guidance.
The clinic is urgently calling on the government to raise subsidy levels and ensure long-term, stable funding. Without immediate intervention, Brasami warns that addiction care on Curaçao is at risk of becoming inaccessible for those who need it most.