In 1994, Chris Herren was no different than many 17 year-olds, forced to attend a school assembly given by a 30 year-old ex-addict telling his tragic story of drugs and alcohol in hopes of keeping Herren’s generation clean and sober.

Back in high school, Herren was a basketball superstar in Fall River, and didn’t think his recreational use of alcohol and marijuana would lead to harder drugs. He felt the very same way as a freshman basketball player at Boston College when the coach made the team go to an anti-drug presentation. Herren never saw himself needing those lectures.  He felt he could handle his recreational use of drugs. Herren’s life changed forever the very same night he heard the drug talk with fellow BC teammates, when he tried his first line of cocaine. That first taste of coke as an 18 year old soon turned into an Oxycontin and heroin addiction that lasted until he was 34.

His addiction was so powerful, Herren once turned down an $8 million contract in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 800 mg of Oxy. After multiple arrests, overdoses, financial ruin, at least two suicide attempts and the potential loss of his wife and kids, Herren finally hit bottom.  A spiritual awakening gave him the strength to stick with treatment.  Herren has been clean since August 2008, but he knows to stay clean will take constant effort. He would give all his years in the NBA to be 17 again and really listen to what that ex-addict said.

Wednesday night, Chris Herren spoke to a standing room only crowd at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center after speaking at a student assembly earlier in the day. Parents with students attending this spring’s prom were required to attend and sign a parent contract to help keep their kids safe from risky behavior. Herren’s heartfelt re-telling of his story visibly moved the audience who sat in silence during his entire talk.

Moments before Wednesday’s evening presentation, Herren overheard a mother say she didn’t want to be there, but was forced by the school. He said he could relate to that sentiment and never thought he would be the one telling the tale of lost dreams, career goals, family and years he’ll never ever get back.

Herren’s difficult journey may have been softened. After giving an afternoon presentation, he received emails from 16 DHS students reaching out to him with their personal struggles. He can’t make all teens listen, but he most definitely touched many in Duxbury this week.