Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 2005
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2005 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/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

"THERE IS A WAY TO GET OUT"

Drug Rehabilitation Program Helps Turn Lives Around

For Connie Smau, "hanging" with the wrong crowd may have gotten her
into some serious trouble, but in the end, getting caught has helped
her change her life for the better.

Unable to fight off peer pressure like many teens who experiment with
drugs, Smau said she regrettably got too involved with a group of
not-so-good friends and fell into some bad habits that led her
straight to drugs.

"I was partying and hanging out with people I didn't even go to school
with, I barely even knew them, but I did what they were doing anyway,"
she said.

But when a friend ran away from home and later told police she had
been with Smau and indicated that there was some drug use, Smau was
taken in for questioning. And in one life-changing second, Smau
decided for once, she would be responsible and suffer the consequences
of her mistakes.

At age 16, Smau entered the Juvenile Drug Court System, where she
began to learn there was so much more to look forward to that could
not be achieved unless she eliminated drugs from her life.

"If it wasn't for the drug court, I'd probably be the same person I
was before. The caseworkers, the probation officers, they're all
really great people who are there to help -- you just have to let
them," she said.

With the help of caseworkers, probation officers, counselors and new
friends within the Juvenile Drug Court system to work with, Smau went
through a year and a half of intensive therapy, drug tests and an
array of activities, such as sports and life skills training that
transformed the former party girl into a serious young woman with
ambition. People care

"The drug court teaches you that there are people out there who care
about you and want you to know that there are other ways to express
yourself," said Smau, adding that she has turned many of her
experiences and feelings into poems that she has been able to look
back on for inspiration and encouragement.

In addition to helping her stay off drugs, Smau said the Juvenile Drug
Court has helped her realize her joy for speaking. As the only female
graduate in her class, Smau gave an inspirational speech at her recent
graduation ceremony from the drug court program. At the event, the
encouraging smiles and applause from mentors became something she
began to thrive on.

"I was touched by the way people saw my success and how happy they
were for me, and I hope that through speaking and talking to others
who are in the situation I used to be in, I can change the life of at
least one person," said Smau, adding that she never turns down an
opportunity to participate in any of the Juvenile Drug Court's current
activities.

Now, three years later and constantly searching for ways to better
herself, Smau said she has turned her life around and focuses much of
her attention on raising her family.

Now as a bank teller for a local bank, Smau said much of the success
she has made thus far is because of the lessons she has learned from
the Juvenile Drug Court System.

"They helped me realize that I wanted to finish school, and that I
wanted something better for my life. Every day is a new day for me
now, and I'm grateful to everyone who stood by me," said Smau.

With her family as her focus, and knowing that she has come a long way
from where she was just three years ago, Smau wants teenagers out
there to know they are not alone and that there is a way to get out of
using drugs. Decision

"There are so many other things for kids to do and there are so many
people who are there to help you and who want you to succeed, but you
have to make the decision," she said.

Smau said she hopes parents know they have to take time out to be
involved in their children's lives because kids, especially teenagers,
need to know that someone cares.

"Talk to your kids. Ask them questions about school, ask how their day
was -- you'll never know how much that really means," said Smau.
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