“Drugs tear at the fabric of our community; family. Today, we renew a sense of duty to young Guamanians — the future of our island — to teach them that drugs can crush their hopes and dreams. If you or anyone you know is abusing drugs, we encourage you to seek help. There are programs and organizations filled with good people ready to help. Addiction is a disease that only our community can cure.” — Governor Eddie Baza Calvo
Calvo Proclaims Red Ribbon Month
Governor Calvo just signed a proclamation to raise awareness against drug abuse in October. This is Red Ribbon Month. The Governor joined several community leaders in Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood’s Courtroom to talk about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction this morning.
Red Ribbon Month is a nationwide education campaign geared toward young adults. It was developed in honor of Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who worked to keep drugs off the streets. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by a Mexican drug cartel because he threatened their business with justice. The Red Ribbon campaign raises awareness about how to live healthily, and drug-free.
On Guam, public safety and health agencies help young people stay away from drugs, and help addicts to get the help they need to recover.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center’s Drug and Alcohol Branch helps Guamanians recover from addiction. They provide drug abuse treatment for people who walk in and volunteer to be helped. People who seek help will not be reported to police or to anyone. Their identities are kept completely confidential.
Everyone should have a second chance. “New Beginnings,” the drug abuse treatment program, gives people recovering from drug and alcohol abuse that second chance to realize sobriety. The counselors and social workers at the program ensure patients are educated about their addiction, treatment, recovery and relapse, help them abstain from alcohol and drugs, and support patients as they recover through detox.
For more information about “New Beginnings,” visit their offices at Suite 102 and 105 in the J&G Commercial Center in HagÃ¥tña. You can also call them at 475-5438.
Anti-Drug Campaign to visit schools
Young students will soon see more law enforcement role models in their classrooms to encourage them against drug use. The Offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor have called on the public safety agencies, like the Guam Police Department and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Authority, to visit schools to talk about drugs, their effect, and what to do in case they are offered drugs.
The program is still in planning phases, but should launch by the end of the year.
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