Pubdate: Sun, 12 Dec 2004
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2004 Pacific Daily News
Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.guampdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Natalie J. Quinata
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

10 PASS DRUG PROGRAM

The Juvenile Drug Court Program has done more for Raymond Cruz than he 
would have thought when he entered the program a little more than a year ago.

After being caught selling drugs in school, the 17-year-old chose to go 
through the program, and has no reason to regret his choice or go back to 
his old habits.

Cruz and nine of his peers had their juvenile court records expunged in a 
graduation ceremony held yesterday for their successful completion of the 
program.

After his experiences of the past year, Cruz said he realized how important 
it was to think about his future. He has set major goals for himself that 
include getting a college degree and practicing law.

"When I was doing drugs, I wasn't thinking about anything but having fun," 
said Cruz, who added that the program has done more for him than learning 
how to escape drugs.

The Superior Court of Guam Juvenile Drug Court program is a 
court-supervised voluntary treatment program for nonviolent offenders and 
their families, and includes intensive counseling, therapy, regular court 
appearances, random drug testing, and unannounced home visits.

Participants also are provided opportunities for vocational training and 
job placements.

Superior Court of Guam Judge Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson said that since the 
program began almost three years ago, almost 100 juvenile defendants have 
graduated from the program, which is now locally funded.

Eligible juveniles arrested for nonviolent offenses may be given the option 
of attending the JDC program or face prosecution on pending charges.

Barrett-Anderson said there are about 200 juveniles currently going through 
the program, which takes about $250,000 a year to run.

The program was receiving federal funds for the first two years that 
involved planning and implementation, but is now locally funded through the 
government, and benefits from support received from the Guam Chamber of 
Commerce.

"It was hard, but I made it through," said 17-year-old Keithlynn Moya, who 
has been in the program for a little more than a year now.

Keithlynn Moya's mother, Luz Moya, and her aunt, Dolores Chargualaf, have 
gone through the entire juvenile court process together and though they all 
admit it was difficult, they are more than thankful.

Chargualaf and Luz Moya said that before they became involved in the 
juvenile court system, they were unaware of the services offered and are 
now no longer hesitant to speak up and get help.

"We will support her any way we can, and we just hope that she will carry 
this feeling into her studies so she can graduate and succeed," Chargualaf said.
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