In an effort to revamp, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program has been stepping up its prevention and teaching techniques to help educators cope with the issues now facing our schools such as violence in schools and terrorism in addition to their drug resistance programs. Gone is the old-style approach to prevention in which officers stand behind podiums and lecture students in straight rows. New D.A.R.E. officers are trained as coaches to support kids. As part of this effort to relate to the children as role models and mentors Iredell County, NC D.A.R.E. and Community Resource Officers have been working with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver Shane Hmiel. Our goal is for me to go to the schools and talk about the choices I made and the consequences I suffered. Shane Hmiel is the former NASCAR Busch Series rising star that tested positive to an illegal substance September 5th after a race in Richmond, shocking the NASCAR community. I made the wrong choices and I got caught. Hmiel said that most difficult part of all of this is how it affected his family. “They were heartbroken, and more embarrassed than anything. My dad has been in this sport for a long time. It hurt everybody around me. Shanes father Steve Hmiel is technical director at DEI, Inc. “actually, it was embarrassing for me, but I don’t think it’s as embarrassing for me as it is for them. They were so excited when I made it to Busch, because they knew how hard I’d worked. Then to throw it away like that was so stupid.” During Hmiels suspension from NASCAR, he underwent the substance abuse rehabilitation program mandated by NASCAR. He undergoes random drug testing and when NASCAR calls, he has one hour to be at an approved facility to have the test taken. I dont mind it at all. I think its been a good deal. NASCARs handled it really well and I am doing everything they ask me to do. I met with several doctors and counselors and having that time off I got my priorities straight and set my mind to being reinstated. Hmiels reinstatement came in January just prior to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. I am so thankful that NASCAR gave me this second chance. Hmiel not knowing when his suspension would be lifted had been talking to Billy Ballew Motorsports about driving the #15 Chevy Silverado but knew everything hinged on his reinstatement. “I am so thankful that people believed in me. Billy Ballew gave me his truck when most people didnt want to take on the risk. I know I was wrong and made a mistake. Now its time for me to help others learn from my past mistakes. Hmiel went on to say Im honored that the people at D.A.R.E. are giving me this opportunity to share my experience and I hope I can make a difference.
D.A.R.E. started a new elementary and middle school program this year and Hmiel will be speaking to 5th graders at their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony Tuesday, April 6th at Mount Mourne Elementary School in Mooresville, NC.
New D.A.R.E. is setting the gold standard for the future, says Charlie Parsons, Executive Director of D.A.R.E. America, Prevention inside the 21st century school house will need to be diverse, accountable, and mean more things to more people, particularly with the safety issues that have emerged since Columbine and terrorist alerts. Thats one reason why every New D.A.R.E. officer is also being trained as a certified School Resource Officer (SRO). More info at www.DARE.com.(PR)(4-6-2004)
