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local Wednesday 17 august 2022

Minister of Justice announces Afl. 600,000 project for homeless

addicts

ORANJESTAD – During a recent
press conference, minister of Jus-
tice and Social Affairs, Mr. Rocco
Tjon announced that the Council
of Ministers approved a sum of Afl.
600,000 to start with a project dedi-
cated specially to dealing with the
problem of homeless addicts in
Aruba.

“I am standing here today with a
lot of satisfaction to announce that
last Friday, the Council of Ministers
approved Afl. 600,000 to deal with
this problem”, Tjon said. He ex-
plained that these funds will be al-
located to Stichting FMAA, which
in the future will be Stichting Hunto
(‘Together Foundation’), together
with SPD (Department of Social
Psychiatry) to execute this project
in a responsible and integral man-
ner to deal with the problem of ad-
dicts on the streets.

Before giving any details, the min-
ister thanked all professionals pres-
ent at the press conference and
also the steering group GGZ. Stud-
ies in the past have noted that
there is a need to close the gap
between mental health aspects
and addiction aspects.
Tjon commented that he has spo-
ken to professionals on the field,
and more and more they speak of
a double diagnosis, which means professionals can come on board reached by steering group GGZ
that the clients don’t have chal- to work on this project full-time. This together with Panamerican Health Regarding the current legislation
lenges on one aspect only, be- means that in a proactive manner Organization (PAHO), but there which does not force any addict
ing addiction, but they also have they will approach the homeless is also a short-term vision and the to register or seek help, but rather
challenges on the mental health addicts and make sure to place abovementioned projects were keeps it voluntary, Tjon indicat-
aspect. This is why all these projects them in one of the centers. born from these plans. ed that the laws are staying the
are born from the steering group same. He said that the long term
GGZ. Regarding the centers, Tjon ex- Tjon commented also that today strategic plan has various groups
plained that in the beginning this a project will launch for the infra- working, and one of them is work-
Tjon indicated that seeing the mul- will be the centre at Meiveld, but in structure of Stichting Hunto, where ing specifically on legislation. The
tianual plan of the Ministry of Jus- the context of this project, an extra SPD together with FMAA (Founda- minister highlighted that legislative
tice and Social Affairs, this project, sum of Afl. 100,000 to refurbish four tion for the Management of Addic- processes take a long time, but at-
‘meddling’, deals also with home- rooms in Centro Colorado, four tion) will be housed in one building, tention is also being given to them.
less addicts in a proactive man- rooms which mean 16 to 24 beds so that the processes are better
ner on the street, it is part of it and where the addicts can receive the aligned and they can provide He added that during various con-
this was already announced back help they need. better care to all those in need; versations with all professionals on
in 2021 during the debate for the not only adults, but also children the field, the aspect of ‘meddling’
2022 budget. Tjon commented that obviously and young persons. Soon, other is a proven concept. Even though
there are other aspects that need projects will be announced. Tjon receiving help is voluntary, the pro-
“What’s good about this project is to be taken into consideration. commented that FADA (Founda- fessionals in charge of providing
that this aspect will be dealt in a When a person is taken from the tion Anti-Drug Aruba) has some help will receive specialized train-
durable manner. There are funds streets, they must receive the care projects that they will announce ing on how to approach the sub-
set aside that were already ap- that they need, which also includes shortly, as well as another project jects and execute the project.
proved for 2022.” He continued ex- aspects like food and hygiene by SPD. And on the side of educa- “A proven concept in the Neth-
plaining that on the 1st of Septem- products that they might need. tion, there are also some initiatives erlands, a proven concept also in
ber, the team of professionals will “In the context of this project we starting. Bonaire where the results of scien-
have to being their work. But at the took into consideration all the funds tific investigations show that when
same time, there is also approval I have mentioned in order to take “Afl. 600,000 was earmarked to you as a professional manage to
for funds to continue in 2023, with a a durable and structural approach deal with homeless addicts, par- convince the person needing help
plan for 2024 where Stichting Hunto to this problem”, he highlighted. ticularly in the city centre. This will based on the tools you received
will make a request based on their obviously increase security, will re- during training, the probability that
regular subsidy to continue work in Tjon explained that this is one duce nuisance for all those visiting the person will succeed with their
this area. part of it. There is a long term vi- our centre, and will create a more rehabilitation is also greater”, the
These funds mean that five more sion, which is an aspect that was beautiful city”, Tjon emphasized. minister finalized.