Herren to speak at WMS and WHS on substance abuse

Herren to speak at WMS and WHS on substance abuse

Chris Herren, a former NBA player, will speak with Waynesville Middle School and High School students on Tuesday, March 28, about substance use disorders and wellness.

Herren, who has been in long-term recovery, has shared his story with more than 1 million students nationally. His focus is on prevention education and challenging audiences to rethink how they look at the disease of addiction.

“Chris Herren’s visit is a direct result of student leadership feedback,” said Superintendent Hilary Bales. “Tomorrow’s assemblies demonstrate that student voice matters and we are listening.”

Herren, a basketball legend from Fall River, Mass., was an All-American, broke scoring records and was recruited by the nation’s top colleges. Herren realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA (National Basketball Association) when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and then traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics in 2000, before losing his career and almost his family to the disease of addiction. Alcohol and drug-free since Aug. 1, 2008, Herren has spoken nationwide with the goal of sparking honest discussions and making a positive difference in their lives.