A former Boston Celtics player will visit Ocean City on May 8 and 9 to talk about decisions.
Chris Herren made some bad ones.
His charmed life as a Boston College star and NBA player took a turn on a series of bad choices, and he lost everything as he became addicted — first to alcohol, then to cocaine and finally to heroin.
Herren, who has been drug- and alcohol-free since 2008, now travels the country to spread a message that addiction knows no cultural or economic boundaries. It’s a grim possibility for any child about to enter a world of daily decisions.
Herren visited Ocean City in 2012 with one of his first public presentations. The event left a lasting mark on the hundreds of parents and students who heard him speak — and particularly on those who opened up to him to share personal stories of how addiction had affected their families.
Herren’s return will include two presentations — the first to parents at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Ocean City Intermediate School; the second to students in grades 6 to 8 at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, during the school day (Upper Township seventh- and eighth-graders will be invited).
The non-profit Ocean City Education Foundation and Ocean City Home Bank (with the additional support of several private donors) are partnering to bring Herren back.
The groups are encouraging parents to attend the May 8 presentation and emphasizing that good decisions start with support at home. The free event includes a 20-minute video, a 45- to 60-minute presentation and another 40 minutes for questions and answers.
The OCEF also is considering creating a $500 random drawing for any student whose parents attend. The event is open to anybody.
Since the summer of 2009, Herren has trained more than 200 basketball players including some of the top basketball prospects in New England. Off the court, he continues to share his story of abuse with audiences in hopes of reaching just one person and making a difference in their life.
His memoir, Basketball Junkie, was released in May 2011. That same year a documentary based on his journey, Unguarded, aired as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series (see YouTube video).
The OCEF mission is to identify and implement strategies and activities designed to support, enhance, expand and develop educational opportunities and programs for students attending Ocean City Public Schools.
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