Former Boston Celtic Chris Herren Inspires During Marblehead Speeches

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Former Boston Celtics player and Massachusetts high school basketball star Chris Herren shared his story of substance abuse battles, the cost of addiction on a once-promising professional basketball career and his quest to help others avoid and recover from the pitfalls that almost took his life during a pair of discussions at Marblehead High School on Wednesday.

Herren, a basketball star at Durfee High School in Fall River who went on to play at Boston College, talked to students and at a community forum open to the public about how the choices they make affect their lives and can lead to addiction.

"It is extremely important to provide programming like this in order to address the needs of prevention, education, awareness, and most importantly, the de-stigmatization of Substance Use Disorder for our students and our families," MHS Social Worker Gina Hart said. "A program such as this can help identify protective and risk factors that are significant in regards to substance use and mental health."

Principal Michelle Carlson said: "Chris shared an important message with our students and the community. Engaging our community and parents/guardians in this conversation is an important goal, as it's essential for the school to partner with families to support students and address issues around substance use early on."

Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness said MPS thanks the Female Humane Society, Marblehead Public Schools Parent Community Organizations, and the Fader family for their sponsorship of the event. Principal Carlson wishes to recognize those who collaborated with the organization and logistics: Hart, Director of Educational Technology Steven Kwiatek, Kevin Renna and Frank Perez from the Internet Technology Department, Television Production Teacher Henry Christensen, and High School Head Custodian Rick King for helping with the program.

Herren's book Basketball Junkie is his account of his personal struggles and his road to recovery.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)