Former Celtic Chris Herren Shoots Straight About Addiction at TMHS

As a Massachusetts high school basketball star, Chris Herren had a golden future ahead of him that seemed destined finsih with great success in the NBA.

But in high school, Herren had already started laying the foundation of a drug and alcohol addiction that would cost him college scholarships and ultimately derail his promising pro basketball career.

Herren has been clean and sober for several years and he now speaks to young athletes and high school students about his life story, in the hopes that it might help some of them avoid following in his footsteps.

On Oct. 15, Herren spoke to Tewksbury High students in McGrath Auditorium. He pulled no punches, sharing how drugs and booze nearly cost him his family, his freedom and his life. In fact, he admited, during one overdose incident he was clinically dead before being brought back by medical personell.

Despite being given chance after chance by teammates, coaches, family, his wife and children, Herren continued to go back to his old habits before finally making a final commitment to sobriety.

TMHS students sat somberly, their eyes glued on Herren as he told his cautionary tale.

Herren's appearance a the school was sponsored by the Tewksbury High Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions, as part of Drug Awareness Week.