NBA Legend Herren to Speak to Students
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is Jan. 22-28, 2017, and this year, St. Mary’s County will be getting a special presentation. Former Boston Celtic and NBA legend Chris Herren has been scheduled as the featured speaker for local events.
Mr. Herren will give speeches during student assemblies at Leonardtown High School, Great Mills High School, and Chopticon High School on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Wednesday, Jan. 25. In addition, Mr. Herren will give a community presentation Jan. 24, at Leonardtown High School that is open to the public. Doors will open at 6 pm, and the free presentation will begin at 7 pm.
Mr. Herren began living his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA in 1999, when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets. However, even before beginning his professional career, he had a history of substance abuse. After his rookie year, Mr. Herren was traded to the Boston Celtics, and within a few years, he had lost everything. Over time, with a great amount of effort, he was able to re-focus his life and move past addiction. Alcohol- and drug-free since 2008, Mr. Herren has since become a noted addiction speaker.
Mr. Herren will tell his brutally honest story in a very personal and raw presentation. He will tell the details of his descent into addiction, his incredible recovery, and the new path that is allowing him to make a difference in the lives of others. He now travels the country telling his poignant story, hoping that he will be able to reach just one person and save them from the effects of substance abuse.
“When the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office approached us with this, we recognized how important it is for our students to hear Chris Herren’s message,” said Scott Smith, superintendent of St. Mary’s County Public Schools. “We need to seize any opportunity available to educate our students about the consequences of drug misuse and abuse. Chris Herren’s story has an impact on his audience that will resonate for years to come. Our kids need to hear it, and I am confident Chris will get their attention.”
“This program not only benefits students but their families as well,” said Sheriff Tim Cameron. “This is a continuation of our prevention efforts in St. Mary’s County and we are pleased to be able to add Chris Herren’s intimate point of view to the ongoing conversation surrounding alcohol and drug abuse, and the impact it has on families.”
Nationally, young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are the biggest abusers of prescription opioid pain relievers, ADHS stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs. In 2014, more than 1,700 young adults died from prescription drug overdoses. Locally, 59 percent of middle and high school students have used alcohol in the last 30 days, with 20 percent before age 13, and 32 percent claim to be currently using.
“My day-to-day operation hinges upon partnerships such as the one the sheriff’s office enjoys with the board of education. We will continue our commitment in drug awareness and prevention which is why some of the funding for this event was made possible through monies seized from local drug dealers,” said Capt. Daniel Alioto. “They are contributing to the problem and their ill-gotten proceeds should be a part of the solution.”
Register to attend the public presentation at www.reboundstory.eventbrite.com. For more information contact Jennifer Stone, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, at 240-256-4847.
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