Ex-NBA player to tell of drug woes

MARLTON Former NBA star Chris Herren will share his struggles with substance abuse and addiction and his road to recovery at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton at 7 p.m. Nov. 18.

Herren, who grew up in Fall River, Mass., will tell how he achieved his dream of becoming a professional basketball player, playing with the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics, only to lose it all to addiction.

He will appear as the guest of Lenape Regional High School District's DEFY the Issue campaign, part of a community substance- and alcohol-abuse education effort. He will also make presentations at the district's high schools.

"We want every Lenape Regional District student and their parents to hear Chris Herren's message and have those conversations," said district superintendent Carol Birnbohm.

Herren, drug- and alcohol-free since 2008, launched Hoop Dreams, a basketball player development company, in 2009 and, in 2011, found the Herren Project, a nonprofit foundation that helps people struggling with addiction. He is author of Basketball Junkie.

Tickets to the arts center appearance cost $1 and can be ordered online at www.sjtheater.com or purchased at the door. Proceeds will go to the DEFY the Issue campaign.

Herren's visit to the district is being made possible by donations, including a $29,000 contribution from the Lenape Regional High School District Foundation.

- Rita Giordano