NBA Player to Share Drug Struggle With Community

Teens are facing a seemingly non-stop overload of access to drugs, both narcotic and prescription, regardless of their location.

Drugs such as cocaine and heroin are no longer being found in inner cities; they’ve made their way–and with a strong presence–to the rural areas where teens with curious minds and idle hands are looking to try something new.

And that’s the reason why the Washington Township Municipal Alliance Committee and West Morris Central High School have partnered to bring students, and the community as a whole, a presentation that will hopefully help someone in need.

Chris Herren played professional basketball in the NBA for two seasons before heading overseas to play for two more years. He was the 33rd overall draft choice in 1999, a McDonald’s High School All-American in 1994, and one of the most highly touted incoming college freshman in the country.

But he did it all under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

That’s what led to a shortened professional career. That’s why he left Boston College for Fresno State after his first failed drug test, then told the country he failed again. It’s also the reason he left his wife and first child in the hospital, alone, after the birth, according to CNN.com.

Chris Herren has a story to tell. A story that spans 14 years of drug and alcohol abuse and how it changed the direction of his life.

It’s that story, Principal Steve Ryan says, that he hopes will help his students.

At a Municipal Alliance Committee meeting in February 2012, Ryan approached the group about what he learned of Chris Herren and his speaking engagements. Two months later, the group reached out to the former NBA player to organize a speaking engagement.

“There is a growing issue of heroin use, and we’re not immune in this town,” Ryan said. “When it was first learned [Herren] was coming to speak to the school, and what his message was, I had students come to me and say ‘We need this.’ When students come to you and say things like this, you know it’s necessary.”

Herren’s story, and struggle, was the focus of an Emmy-nominated 2011 ESPN documentary titled Unguarded. The Massachusetts native has been sober since August 2008, according to his website.

Community for Chris

Herren’s speaking engagement comes with a price tag, however, and one that the Municipal Alliance was willing to address. But because the group and its projects–which are designed to address drug and alcohol abuse as well as bullying and other youth-related problems–are funded by grants, it couldn’t swallow the entire cost.

The MAC put in $3,500 of its own funds toward the Herren engagement, according to co-chairperson Linda Guldner, but needed help from the community.

And it came in abundance.

“Five of our members went out and asked community organizations if they’d be willing to help with this project,” Guldner said. “Not one said no. Not one.”

It was the first time since its inception the group went to the community for financial support, Guldner said, and the result was 17 co-sponsors offering between $250 and $1,000 toward the Herren costs, which include travel, lodging and two presentations at the high school.

Groups like the Long Valley Junior Women's Club, baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse organizations along with four private donors all gave funding for the presentation, Guldner said.

“We have tremendous partners in this,” Guldner said. “I am honored and humbled by our sponsors.”

Ryan, now in his second year as the school’s principal, said it was a testament to the community.

“[The sponsorships] speak to a general commitment of the community,” Ryan said. “You can see there’s pride in this community.”

Herren will address the community at 7 p.m. Monday, May 6. The audience will also have the opportunity to question Herren. All parents and students from the area are welcomed to attend, and registration is required. The following morning, Herren will speak to the high school students and the eighth grade from the Long Valley Middle School, which will be bused over for the presentation.

To register for the event, go here.

“[Long Valley] is not happy valley,” Guldner said. “Drug and alcohol abuse is more common than people realize. We need to open people’s eyes. We want people to come away from this and say, ‘wow, I really got something from this.’”