Mexican singer and actor Pablo Montero graduated from a drug rehabilitation program in Miami on Friday and said he plans to share his experiences with television audiences.
Montero, whose legal name is Oscar Hernandez, received a certificate and a parting gift, a green backpack, at the ceremony, which lasted about 45 minutes. Wearing a dark suit and silver tie, Montero sat near the front of a Miami-Dade County courtroom filled with officials, other rehabilitation program participants, and their family and friends.
After the ceremony, Montero said he plans to discuss his experiences on "The Cristina Show," a popular program on Univision.
"You have to have the valor to recognize it, accept it and work on it to be able to overcome it," Moreno said. "I think that mistakes help you mature, learn and become a better person, and that's happening to me now. I'm really enjoying my health, my family, and principally and before anything, my son, who is a blessing."
Police stopped Montero in 2007 for allegedly running a red light and then making a left turn from a right-turn only lane. A small bag with cocaine was found in his car, according to a police report. Montero told officers the bag belonged to him and not to his passenger. The arrest came two days after Montero helped present nominees for the Latin Grammy Awards at a South Florida press conference.
In a brief statement during the ceremony, Montero thanked Judge Deborah White-Labora and other court officials and called drug addiction a "social and world problem" that affects millions.
"You have to acknowledge the problem, you have to accept it, accept the fact that it happened," Montero told attendees through an interpreter. "And what's more important is that you have to work on it."
As other attendees lined up for cake and sandwiches after the participants received their certificates, Montero stopped to pose for pictures and shake hands. That included a shot with White-Labora, who planted a kiss on his cheek.
The charge against Montero was dropped because he successfully completed the drug rehabilitation program, said his attorney, Howard Srebnick.
"We're very proud of him. He made a commitment to the program, he completed the program," Srebnick said. "Just very proud that he met all of his obligations, and look forward to seeing him on the TV and in concert."