Speaker captivates audience at Nashua South

Nashua High School South students funneled into the gymnasium during fourth block Monday afternoon. With the bleachers filled, the gym was beyond capacity, and clusters of students began taking seats on the gymnasium floor. Many reluctant students expected a typical sob story proscribing drug use, but what they ended up hearing was much more. Chris Herren was a once an admired Boston College basketball player, earning him a spot in Sports Illustrated among the likes of Allen Iverson and Ray Allen. Unfortunately, one line of cocaine proved to be a mistake that led to a struggle with drug problems, ranging from a cocaine addiction to dependence on Oxycontin and heroin. It was a mistake that he said “took 14 years to overcome.” Luckily, Herren’s ways have since been reformed, and now he tells his story to not only professional sports teams, but also to the place where he feels he can make the most impact: high schools. “Chris is changing the lives of millions, and I’m honored to be a part of that number,” South freshman Jocelyn Chaput said.