The seminar, which was initiated by the science teachers, was held in the school cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Melvin Duenas, a former drug dependent for 20 years and servicemember, discussed substance addiction and how to live a drug- free life.
Johanna Duenas, science teacher, said the guest speaker has a burning passion to share with young people his own first-hand testimony on how he got hooked on illegal drugs and how it took a long time before he could overcome his addiction.
Melvin Duenas has traveled to different places, including Egypt, the Philippines, other parts of Africa and Asia as well as several states on the mainland to share his testimony.
Now a pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist, he discussed how a person can overcome drug addiction.
He discussed the importance of learning to make good and right choices.
“It’s a matter of choosing the right path instead of starting at the wrong path and ending up insane or dead due to addiction,” he said.
Hopwood principal Jonas Barcinas said the school leadership encourages teachers to reach out to credible and professional individuals who can provide students with important information regarding drug awareness.
“According to the survey that we sent out, a lot of students are using this stuff and this is scary and very alarming,” Barcinas said, referring to illegal drugs.
The school, he added, wants its students to understand the bad effects of narcotics.
Barcinas said he appreciated the effort of the Hopwood teachers for organizing the seminar.
Benjamin Seman, a science teacher, said he noticed that more students are now aware of the harmful effects of illegal substances.
Also present in the seminar were seventh grade science teacher Evelyn Reyes and counselor Cindy Pangelinan.
Leslie Sablan, who is with Troops to Teachers at Hopwood, also shared her testimony with the students.
A former Hopwood student herself, she said she became addicted to drugs, but was able to overcome and now, like Pastor Duenas, is also living a drug-free life.
During the seminar, the pastor revealed how NEWSTART — Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, Air, and Rest and Trust in Divine Power — helped him overcome his addiction.
Students and counselors said Pastor Duenas “is such an inspiring speaker and really speaks from his heart. His experiences are so sad but are really the reality that people face every day.”
After the lecture, some students came up to him and hugged him.
