Former Celtics player Chris Herren presented “The First Day” during an assembly held at Old Rochester Regional High School on Monday, April 13. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
MATTAPOISETT — From his first day of addiction to the last, former Celtics player Chris Herren let students at Old Rochester Regional High School try on his shoes as he shared his perspective about a promising basketball career derailed by substance abuse and his subsequent journey to sobriety.
Herren presented his film “The First Day” during a 75-minute assembly held on Monday, April 13, in the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium. After screening the film, which highlights his story as a basketball star and his fight for a substance-free life, Herren discussed how various experiences during his teenage years impacted him. He encouraged listeners to rethink how they view the scourge of addiction.
Herren, who in 2011 founded the nonprofit Herren Project, also touched on related topics, such as drinking, smoking marijuana, vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and self-harm. Herren then fielded questions from students in the audience to conclude the event.
“Chris Herren’s story is powerful, real, and incredibly relevant for today’s students,” said Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring his message to our school and to partner with our community in helping students make informed, healthy decisions.”
Students were informed that if they wish to connect with Herren’s student outreach team to form a Herren Project Club, which is a student group that’s focused on empowering youth to make healthy choices, they can visit herrenproject.org/student-resources or email prevention@herrenproject.org.
This event was funded by the office of the Public Health Nurse for the Town of Rochester.
“We were happy to host this presentation on such an important topic,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “As part of our role educating our young people, we want to make sure our students are empowered to make healthy decisions and to avoid choices that threaten their wellbeing. Thank you to our teachers, staff and guests who share this important information and help our students better understand the truth about substance abuse and the damage that it can cause.”
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Chris Herren spoke to students at Old Rochester Regional High School about how experiences during his teenage years impacted him and his struggles with substance abuse disorder. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Following a screening of “The First Day,” speaker Chris Herren touched on related topics, such as drinking, smoking marijuana, vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and self-harm. Herren then fielded questions from students in the audience to conclude the event. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
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