Chris Herren delivers a powerful message 

to CHS students and Canton community

Former NBA player and Fall River native tells his story

about substance abuse, addiction, recovery and redemption

The CHS Gymnasium was silent.

The gym was filled with nearly 1,000 people. But it was silent.

Dan Guan photo

Chris Herren

CHS staff and students hung on every word from Chris Herren, the former Boston Celtic and Durfee basketball standout, who spoke to the student body on Wednesday, March 27. In vivid detail, Herren chronicled his moving and powerful story of his ever-escalating drug addiction, the loss of his hoop dreams and his road to recovery.

Herren has been sober and substance-free since Aug. 1, 2008. As documented in ESPN's 30-for-30 Unguarded, Herren has since visited hundreds of schools and colleges, military bases, correction facilities, and professional and collegiate sports teams to deliver his message.

The story is always the same. Marijuana and alcohol in high school. Experimentation with cocaine at Boston College. More cocaine. More drugs. Trying the little "yellow pill". The Oxycontin addiction. Heroin. The rise and fall of an basketball career. The heartache of a family. The loyalty of a family. The near-death experiences. The recovery. The relapse. The recovery. Sobriety.

                                    Dan Guan photo

And now, the mission is to improve the lives of others, as he continues to rebuild his life. The story is astonishing. Which is why the gym was silent.

In a subtle way, Herren challenges his listeners to evaluate their own lives, especially in the areas drugs, alcohol and self-harm. Students leave thinking about the power and impact of their decisions -- big and small.

He hopes to inspire and support at least "one student" who is struggling with addiction and substance abuse -- either personally or within circles of family and friends. The challenge is to take his life lessons and use them to make a powerful impact on another life.

Fight the addiction. Support others. Get help. Find hope.

Herren modeled this message by staying after for 30 minutes and talking to many students individually.

Additionally, over 400 Canton and area community members attended the evening session in the auditorium, hearing the same story in silence. Many parents attended and he had a strong message: substance abuse is in every community and in your lives. Talk to your children about these issues. Love them and support them. Help others who are fighting addiction.

Canton High School would like to thank Chris Herren for having a profound impact on our students, school and our community.

Special thanks to Canton Public Schools, the CHS Athletic Booster Club and CABI for sponsoring this event. Special thanks to the Canton Police Department for helping with the community event.

To learn more about Chris Herren and his Foundation, click on the following links.
The Herren Project / Project Purple

Basketball Junkie, Fall River Dreams, Unguarded
Canton Citizen article on Chris Herren

Dan Guan photos