HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Two recovering addicts shared their thoughts on a new billboard put up by the Office of the Attorney General.
Last week, the OAG put up a billboard that displayed a woman pointing a gun at a man on the ground outside of her vehicle, where there is a child in the back seat. “Better a meth addict than your loved one” is printed in the corner, while in the background another billboard shows booking photos and the words “meth convictions.”
In a press release announcing the new billboard, the AG’s office explained the reasoning behind it was supporting the community using “self-defense” and “defense of others” when in dangerous situations.
Two recovering addicts and ex-drug convicts, Duane Calvo and Jesse Mendiola, told The Guam Daily Post the billboard sends the wrong message.
“Everyone has a loved one that is addicted to methamphetamine. … I don’t care where you come from, you know someone or you’re related to somebody. And to see that posted up there and put it out there, … and the way I took it is: Let’s shoot all the meth addicts and get rid of the problem on Guam,” said Calvo.
“It’s disturbing to me, and I think it’s disturbing to my kids also because I was that meth addict at one time, and if that’s the process or train of thought that we’re heading at, … who would I be today? Or where would my kids be today without me if they were just to shoot every meth addict or every drug addict out on the street?” Calvo added.
While Mendiola expressed similar thoughts, he also told the Post the billboard authorizes the Second Amendment right to bear arms over “morals and values.”
“We live in a society where there’s still rules. There’s still law. … I understand the point he (AG Douglas Moylan) is trying to make. However, the images and his tact and delivery is very distasteful,” said Mendiola.
Deterrence
Moylan has been in office since the start of last year, and the AG’s office has regularly put up billboards, they say, to deter crime.
Mendiola and Calvo though, speaking from experience, felt if a criminal saw one of the billboards it would not stop their behavior.
“I don’t think it works. I don’t think it works for the mere fact of … the laws are in place for drug convictions … and it’s still not deterring anybody,” Calvo said. “When you lock these guys up, all it is is a breeding ground for them to be a better criminal.”
“No billboard, as an ex-con, is going to make me stop and think, ‘Oh, I’m not going to do this because my name is going to be up there.’ My mind is under the influence of a narcotic that is not making me think straight,” Mendiola said.
Treatment
Both Calvo and Mendiola volunteer their time, on top of their full-time jobs, to assist with the Department of Corrections’ Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program and the District Court of Guam’s drug offender reentry program, where they speak with recovering addicts about their transition from incarceration to society.
Being so involved with the treatment efforts on the island, while also focusing on their own lifelong recovery from drug addiction, Calvo and Mendiola are strong supporters of treating addiction as opposed to locking people up.
Calvo, in particular, thinks the money used to pay for the billboards could be better used for treatment or improving law enforcement.
As for those in treatment and recovery, Mendiola felt the new billboards are not only aimed at those still using drugs but also those in recovery.
“When he says, ‘Better a meth addict,’ he’s talking about everyone in general. Even those that have gotten their life together, and that’s very offensive. Not only (to) the meth addicts quote, unquote that he’s talking about, but it’s offensive to their family members that have been there and supports these meth addicts through their struggles to find a good life,” Mendiola said.
“I can appreciate Doug Moylan’s intent to be the toughest sheriff in town. I can appreciate his intent to protect the people. However, his approach and methods constantly attacking drug users and meth addicts, who, by extension, have loved ones just as much (as) those who don’t do drugs is causing a divide in our society,” Mendiola said.
“It’s pitting people against each other. And rather than being divisive, Doug should promote welfare, … safety … (and) awareness,” Mendiola added.
The Office of the Attorney General’s latest crime billboard sits alongside the Barrigada tri-intersection on Friday, March 1, 2024.
