Former NBA Player Chris Herren to Speak at Drug Abuse Conference

Former NBA player Chris Herren will tell his personal story at an educational conference focusing on prescription drug abuse Tuesday, Sept. 29. His free public talk will be at 6 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Conference Center.

Herren, who played for the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, struggled with substance abuse for much of his basketball career, but now shares his story of abuse and recovery. He was the subject of the ESPN documentary “Unguarded,” published a memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” and now travels across the country to tell his story.

Herren will discuss how he came to use and abuse prescription medications and other substances, and how he sought recovery. He now successfully helps others avoid the path he traveled.

Additionally, a presentation about the growing issue of students abusing stimulants on college campuses will be offered during the conference.

“From 2009-2013, the number of prescription drug-related deaths in Wyoming has more than doubled,” says Antoinette Kathleen Brown, UW School of Pharmacy lecturer.

The UW School of Pharmacy will host an RxIMPACT Training Program, titled “Effective Grassroots Involvement in the Policymaking Process,” from 4-5 p.m. Heidi Ann Ecker, director of government affairs and grassroots programs of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, will lead the advocacy training.

All events are free and open to the public.

The conference is sponsored by the Wyoming Rx Abuse Stakeholders along with the UW School of Pharmacy, the Wyoming Department of Health, Townsquare Media/Wyopreps.com, the Otis L. Hoy Memorial Fund and Recover Wyoming.

For more information about the conference, visit the Rx Abuse Stakeholders website at www.wyrxabusestakeholders.com/, or contact Brown at (307) 766-3090 or abrown13@uwyo.edu.