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.