**Course Description:**
In this very personal presentation, Chris will share his recovery journey in a brutally honest format with just a microphone. The event will start with a 5-minute film introducing Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career and his dream to play in the NBA which began to unravel by making a few bad decisions. From growing up in Fall River, MA to playing Division 1 basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety. Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug use, vaping and the responsibility of prevention starting with us all. To conclude the event Chris will field questions from the audience.
**Student Learning Objectives:**
By the end of this lesson, adult professionals will be able to:
1. Understand the personal journey of Chris Herren from addiction to sobriety and its relevance to prevention efforts.
2. Recognize the impact of gateway drugs, prescription drug abuse, and vaping on drug use among youth.
3. Reflect on their role and responsibility in preventing drug use among youth and their communities.
4. Engage in a meaningful discussion on the topics covered and address questions and concerns.
**Instructor Bio:**
Chris Herren was a high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, who scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the 1994 McDonald’s All-American team.
Starting his collegiate career at Boston College, Chris transferred to Fresno State after several failed drug tests, playing for legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, known for giving second chances to players. He was named to the All-WAC first team in 1996 and 1997 before announcing that he would need miss part of the 97-98 season to seek treatment for an ongoing struggle with substance use disorder.
Chris realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999, and then was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. After suffering a season-ending injury as a Celtic, Herren went on to play in five countries including Italy, Poland, Turkey, China, and Iran.
Herren struggled with substance use for much of his career. While playing for the Boston Celtics, he started to use painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. In December 2004, Herren was charged with possession of heroin after passing out in the drive thru of a Dunkin' Donuts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. In June 2008 in Fall River, he overdosed on heroin and crashed into a utility pole. According to paramedics, he was allegedly dead for thirty seconds.
After completing intensive rehabilitation programs, Herren has been alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008. In June 2009, he launched Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, a basketball player development company to mentor players on and off the court. Herren wrote a book with Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds titled Basketball Junkie: A Memoir, documenting his career on and off the court. Basketball Junkie was released in May 2011. In 2011, ESPN aired a documentary, Unguarded, directed by Jonathan Hock, based upon Herren's basketball career and drug-related issues. On March 20, 2012, it was announced that Unguarded had been nominated for two Emmys: Outstanding Sports Documentary and Outstanding Editing.
Herren now travels the United States sharing his story through Herren Talks, averaging 200 talks a year. Herren’s goal is to educate and inspire students in a way they’ll actually listen. Herren has spoken to over a million students as well as parents and professionals who work with youth, while also advocating for curriculum change to help youth get to the core of the need for alcohol and drug abuse - mental health and PTSD awareness. In 2011, Herren founded the nonprofit Herren Project. In 2018, he also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program. |