Former NBA player ‘gives it to you straight’ in cautionary tale
By News Editor Emma Stancey & Sports Editor Jay Ahuja
Former NBA player and recovering drug addict Chris Herren will speak to Naperville North High School students about drug and alcohol abuse in an all-school assembly tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 18. He spoke tonight at an event open to the public.
Athletic Director Jim Konrad said the total cost of hosting Herren is $12,000. Donations from the Naperville Police Department, Linden Oaks, local businesses, and NNHS athletics teams and clubs have aided in funding the expense.
Konrad said he has been interested in hosting a speaker like Herren at NNHS for the past few years. But after seeing him speak at both Benedictine University and Downers Grove North High School, he was confident that Herren was the right choice.
“[Herren] is the one to educate the students about the danger of drugs,” Konrad said. “Kids recognize excellence, and he doesn’t sugarcoat it. He is very open. Herren gives it to you straight.”
Konrad believes the drug problem at NNHS is significant and needs to be addressed.
“One drug violation is too many, and we have had far more than one,” Konrad said. “I’m hoping that people at the assembly will understand and be aware and have the strength to seek support.”
According to Konrad, NNHS offers an extensive support network for students who believe they or their peers may have a drug problem. He said NNHS strives to correct existing drug issues and to combat the rise of new ones by involving teachers, parents, and students in decision making.
This effort has lead to the creation of Rise Above, a program that encourages a drug and alcohol free lifestyle; teachers are learning how to identify a troubled student and notify student services to further assist those students; and an informational meeting focusing on drug abuse was held last year. Increasing parent involvement is still a work in progress.
“My big emphasis is the kids,” Konrad said. “If they’re at a party they can say, ‘Hey I’m in Rise Above. I can’t smoke or drink.’ [Being a Rise Above member] can be used as an opt out.”
NNHS basketball head coach Jeff Powers is well aware of the obstacles that drugs can put in a student’s path. He has seen drug issues on his basketball team as well as drug problems in other sports. He said he is confident that Herren will provide the impact needed to motivate students toward healthier lifestyles.
“With sports, the key to success is focus, and with the added influence of drugs, it’s hard to be focused,” Powers said. “Herren has a way of scaring people straight, and I hope that the same effect will be felt on the athletes as well.”
NNHS senior Michael Laurenzo, who is currently a member of the basketball team, had drug violations last year during the basketball season, and he has heard Herren speak as well. Laurenzo was inspired by the former basketball star.
“Herren’s message and story is incredible, but it is up to us to decide if it will make an impact,” Laurenzo said. “[Herren] is a great speaker with a great story, so if people really buy into what he says, there could be change. It’s time for action.”
Luc Waked • Mar 12, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Herren has a remarkable story, and I am so glad that he could share it with us.
I really hope that the message he shared sticks with the students at NNHS, because if it does, it will make the school a much better, much safer place.
Jeremy Tang • Feb 19, 2014 at 6:50 pm
The thing that really dug deep was the fact that he was not just another bum or reject. He was a star. This exemplifies that addiction can happen to anyone. He was really moving by constantly using his age, when I was 21… when I was 14… when I was 26… etc… this displayed progression and how one mistake can almost have a snowball effect. In the 30/30 he talks about how he was not even able to look at himself. He would shave and brush his teeth in the shower, so he would not see himself. That was moving. The fact that drugs took such a severe toll on him, that he could not even look at himself without seeing failure and shame is horror striking. Drugs ruin families. That is possibly the biggest part of the assembly I will take with me. His relationships tainted by his addiction that never can be fully mended, just…. simply….
breathtaking.