'How Come on Friday and Saturday Nights, I Just Can’t be Me?'

Former high school and professional basketball player Chris Herren asked the Westborough High School student body to do something after hearing him speak in the school gym on Monday.

“I want you to ask yourself, ‘What is it about me that I can’t be me? How come on Friday and Saturday nights I’ve got to become somebody different? What does it do for me? Has it made me prettier? Tougher? Stronger? How come on Friday and Saturday nights, I just can’t be me?'” Herren asked.

Herren, 37, shared struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in high school and into adulthood over a 30-minute talk, which ended with students’ questions. A 25-minute video showing Herren’s basketball highlights at Fall River’s Durfee High School, and then in the NBA, and news reports of his substance abuse problems, preceded the discussion. Herren then met with some students in the school library.

Herren said he has shared his story nationwide over the past three years.

“Where I want to be most on this mission is in front of high school kids,” he said.

“Because, last year, I spoke in front of 150,000 high school kids. And I believe I can have the greatest impact at this age. I believe I can make a difference.

“I do this because I remember what it was like walking into these assemblies. I remember saying to myself, ‘My father, he’s a politician. My mom, she works in corporate America. We own a couple of homes. That story does not pertain to me. All I do is drink and smoke once in a while.’

“I remember walking into these assemblies and saying, ‘I’ve scored 2,000 points. I’m a McDonald’s All-American. I’m ranked ninth in the United States my senior year. My future’s bright.’”

Monday, students Brian Looby and Zach Diamond introduced Herren. Both wore T-shirts from Project Purple, which is an initiative of the non-profit Herren Project “that assists individuals and families struggling with addiction,” according to its website.

Looby said that last semester, his senior English class read “Basketball Junkie: A Memoir," which Herren co-wrote with Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds.

“I was personally moved by his story, because I could personally relate to the issue of addiction, just like I know many of you as well,” Looby said.

“I ask that you show your utmost respect to Mr. Herren. Addiction is an everyday struggle, and affects everyone who’s involved.”

Diamond said he heard Herren at a basketball camp about two years ago.

“The stories inspired me and thousands of other kids to make good decisions in life,” Diamond said.

The Westborough Athletic Boosters and Westborough High School made Herren’s talk possible.

Herren said he is asked most often at such assemblies, “Mr. Herren, you don’t think weed and alcohol are gateway drugs, do you?”

“I can tell you this: I was a heroin addict for eight years. My friends were heroin addicts and crack heads for eight years. I’ve never met one that told me they started with crack and heroin,” he said.

“I want you to know that in this country today, 2,000 kids your age will pop a pill for the first time.  By the end of the week, it’s 14,000 kids for the first time. By the end of the month, it’s 56,000. And by the end of the year, it’s over a half a million. Every 19 to 21 minutes, someone drops dead from popping a pill.”

Herren said that for the students present who cut themselves, “your pain is no different than mine."

“It’s up to you to pull one of your teachers, one of your guidance counselors, aside and say, ‘I have that same problem.’

“If you have a friend that has that same problem, if you have a friend who has drug problems, alcohol problems, it is your responsibility to tell on that friend.”

Herren said he is asked often if he tires of speaking to groups about his experiences.

“And I’ll leave here, and I’ll get a message on Twitter. Or I’ll get an e-mail sent to my website about a kid who’s struggling. And it makes it all worth it,” he said.

“I do it to inspire you to share your struggle. Because I found out sharing struggle gives you strength.”