The Substance Misuse and Abuse Reduction Team

SMART (Substance Misuse and Abuse Reduction Team) is a drug prevention coalition with 45 volunteers. Our mission is to prevent teen Rx pain pill and alcohol abuse. SMART members contribute to this blog. To find out more call 801-851-7181 or email kyen@utahcounty.gov. See our website at www.smartutahcounty.info.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Get to know James Bemel

James writes: I was born in Alaska and raised in Spokane, Washington and Layton, Utah. I've been married for nine years and I have a two-year-old daughter who is the light of my life. I received my Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion from Weber State University, my Masters of Public Health & Health Services Administration from the University of Utah, and my PhD in Health Promotion & Education from the University of Utah. I've worked for the Huntsman Cancer Institute as the Outreach Coordinator, Weber State University as an Instructor, and I currently work for Utah Valley University where I'm an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Public Health. I also currently teach adjunct for both the University of Utah and Weber State University. I'm a member of the Health Education Association of Utah (HEAU); Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE); Utah Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (UAHPERD); and I'm the 2011-2012 Executive Chair of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Utah.

I joined SMART because I have an interest in helping to decrease and prevent substance abuse. My primary professional focus is substance abuse, with a special emphasis on tobacco. I'm also very interested in working to prevent alcohol abuse as well as prescription drug abuse since it is the fastest growing area of substance abuse.

So far, I've been very impressed with the SMART meetings I've attended. I like to see people from all different areas coming together to accomplish common goals.

In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing with my wife and daughter. The nice thing about the position I'm in is that I get eight weeks off in the summer to pursue these interests. This year, we've already visited several sites in Utah and plan to visit Bear Lake and Jackson Hole before school begins again.

I think my sense of humor makes me unique. I'm the type of person who will say something I think is funny and then laugh at it, even if no one else is laughing!

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