Just as the ribbon was cut for the Nuebo Na Hinanao, or New Beginnings, drug treatment facility at the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, tears streamed down Valerie Reyes' face.

As the director of the Salvation Army's Lighthouse Recovery Center, Reyes understands the island's desperate need for an inpatient drug detox unit. Nuebo Na Hinanao aims to help those who suffer from the effects of drugs and alcohol abuse.

And while Reyes was there as a community partner in the fight in the island's drug epidemic, she also stood as a testament to the success of the New Beginings program.

"I am a product of the New Beginnings of drugs and alcohol," she shared wit KUAM News. "And this unit closed after Pongsona and my former supervisor, cause I did work at New Beginnings also Don Subang, had worked very hard to get this open. And now under the supervision of Athena Duenas it's just an emotional and amazing day for me because New Beginnings saves a lot of lives."

It was a different time for Reyes more than 20 years ago when she found herself at the other side of the law. After a drug possession arrest, she did time behind bars at the Department of Corrections and then went on probation. Fresh out of prison for drug abuse, the single mother of three found herself with no car and no job. New Beginnings helped her turn things around.

"But here at new beginnings I learned how to address my emotions," Reyes said. "I also learned how to prevent relapse and although I had some bumpy experiences after treatment I knew what to do. And that was almost like the seed was laid and it was something that I was able to tap into and then recovery just started to happen for me. And then went back to school and said you know I want to become a drug and alcohol counselor and so here I am today."

The new detox center reopened on June 22 in Tamuning. While speaking with KUAM, Reyes stood in front of the very room she once stayed in while receiving treatment at the government facility.

Today, Reyes has come a long way from her time at New Beginnings. She runs the nonprofit LRC, a residential drug and alcohol treatment center and she also was named Social Worker of the Year this year by the National Association of Social Workers Guam Chapter.

As for those who are struggling with drug addiction and dealing with alcohol abuse. Reyes had this to say: "If you want help, reach out. We are here to help you. You can call new beginnings, the Lighthouse, Oasis Empowerment Center. If you just pick up that phone and make that one call it could change your life. We don't have to suffer anymore, we don't have to continue using and we never have to go to jail again. We can live life, without using drugs or alcohol."

You can contact GBHWC 24/7 crisis hotline at 647-8833.