CHRIS HERREN IS COMING TO DANBURY

Community partners have come together to sponsor a presentation given by NBA star, Chris Herren, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at Danbury High School.

Chris Herren was a high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts scoring over 2,000 points in his career and was named to the 1994 McDonald’s all-American team. Herren realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA only to lose it all to the horror of drug addiction. His decline began with alcohol use, then cocaine and OxyContin, and finally heroin. Today, Chris travels around the country to share his story and educate people about the devastation of drug use.Today, Chris travels around the country to share his story and educate people about the devastation of drug use.

Young adults in the region typically begin experimenting with alcohol around 11-13 years. The younger someone begins experimenting with drugs or alcohol, the more likely they are to struggle with some type of addiction later in life. Marijuana use is reported to be on the rise among high school students and opiate use is considered a national epidemic. Deaths from drug overdoses have touched lives in nearly every American county, largely due to the addiction to prescription painkillers which can lead to heroin use. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death and causes more deaths than car accidents. Locally, it is reported that in 2014, 56% of admissions to MCCA were for heroin addiction treatment.

No community is immune to drug use. It is happening in affluent, rural and inner cities. Educate and empower your family.

The presentation begins at 7pm (doors open at 6:30), 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd. Danbury, CT where Chris will address parents, students and the general public. This presentation will also serve as the annual DHS Freshman Forum. Seating capacity is limited.

To inquire, please contact Terry Budlong, Director of Prevention Services at the MCCA, tbudlong@mccaonline.com .