Naperville North High School will host several events this month in hopes of bringing awareness to the issue of substance abuse.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Chris Herren, a former Boston Celtics basketball player and heroin addict, will give a speech detailing his experience with drug abuse and recovery. On Friday, Nov. 18th and Monday, Nov. 21st, each class will assemble in the auditorium to view the play “Users” performed by NNHS students. The play vividly depicts the effects of illegal drugs.

Jim Konrad, a dean at Naperville North, recognizes the problems that plague the school and the community.

“I’d like to think that the great majority of our students are making good decisions,” he said. “Obviously we have kids that struggle.”

Konrad believes North has the responsibility to better educate students and help those who are struggling, even if it just one student.

“Chris Herren gives a one-man show. It’s a powerful message that will resonate with some of our students,” Konrad said. “Watching your classmates in those roles [in “Users”] may resonate in a different way or with different kids. So the more we can blanket our school with these positive messages, the better off we are all going to be.”

Jennifer Baumgartner, head of Student Activities, agrees that the play will have a strong impact on students because they can see the effects of substance abuse on their peers.

“It’s pretty tough seeing your own peers in a role that is pretty scary and changes who they are,” said Baumgartner.

Konrad urges students to fully utilize these opportunities and events to step forward and get help.

“We want the students to be open and to tell them again that there is no punishment for you to come down and get help,” said Konrad. “We want the kids who haven’t made those choices yet to see that [drug abuse] is not a pretty thing.”