Former NBA Player Visits West to Talk Substance Abuse, Peer Pressure

students received a visit from a former NBA player and college basketball star that battled drug and alcohol addictions to speak about the dangers of substance abuse.

Chris Herren, a former guard for the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics and standout at Fresno State, appeared at the high school fresh off ESPN’s documentary Unguarded, and spoke about his struggles with peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and how he has dedicated his time to help students stay clean.

Herren, who wrote about his struggles in his book Basketball Junkie: A Memoir released in May, specifically discussed his problems with heroin and OxyContin, but warned students about how abusing any drug or alcohol could lead you down a path of destruction. 

“Peer pressure can lead you to do bad things,” Herren said to the students. “I urge you to be a real leader and have the capacity to say no … If you start drinking, smoking pot and experimenting, things will only get worse. Just say no and stay away.” 

Bringing Herren to the school was part of West’s anti peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse agenda. Assistant Principals Dan McCabe and Derek Solomon, as well as English teacher Lauren Belesi coordinated bringing Herren to the school.