Former NBA Star to Speak at Wirt Co. High on Substance Abuse and Sobriety

Former NBA Star, Chris Herren to speak at Wirt Co. High School

To create awareness for those struggling with substance abuse and sobriety, Coplin Health Systems (CHS) is pleased to present a free public event to the Wirt County communities that addresses the strains and stigma associated with addiction.

All are welcomed to the free event that will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Wirt County High School.

Through the Substance Use Disorder grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the event’s goal is to shed light on recovery and discuss the struggles within the pathway for sobriety. The event will also touch on how reducing the stigma associated with addiction can better serve communities, those battling addiction and those on the road to recovery.

The evening’s speaker is Chris Herren, former NBA player, who struggled with substance abuse for much of his basketball career. Mr. Herren celebrated one year of being drug and alcohol free in June of 2009. Herren founded The Herren Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing treatment navigation and mentoring programs for those touched by addiction. In 2012, the organization launched a nationwide anti-substance abuse campaign, Project Purple, to encourage people of all ages to stand up to substance abuse.

“Because of Chris’s past experience and current endeavors, I really think attendees will leave the event with more knowledge of addiction and the battles that come along with recovery,” Sarah Casseday, Director of Behavioral Health, and who secured the grant for Herren’s speaking engagement.

Prior to the evening’s event, a school-only engagement will be held during the day to help reduce the chance of teens starting down that pathway.

“At Coplin, we’ve seen and continue to see the impact that the drug epidemic has brought to families all across the nation, but more closely, the devastation that addiction has brought to the communities and families within West Virginia,” said Rob Dudley, CEO of CHS. “By offering this event, we hope Mr. Herren’s story will open the eyes of those in attendance, and hopefully they leave with a little more compassion and understanding for those struggling with addiction and the families affected by the disease.”

Although the event is free, attendees are asked to RSVP at here.