Celtics Superstar Chris Herren Coming to Newport November 30 at 6pm- a riveting story of recovery from heroin and cocaine. 

Journey to Recovery Community Center and Northeast Kingdom Human Services are excited to announce they are bringing former NBA Celtics superstar Chris Herren to the Northeast Kingdom. Chris is coming to tell his powerful story of resurrection after falling into heroin and cocaine addiction. After four overdoses and seven felonies, Chris has revolutionized his life and spends time helping bring others out of the darkness of addiction. Chris Herren will be speaking at North Country Union High School on Thursday, November 30. Appetizers at 5:30 pm, introduction of leaders and then presentation at 6 pm. Chris is a riveting speaker who brings an authentic and impactful voice and message- his story is relatable no matter who you are and how you may or may not have been impacted by substance use disorder. You will be impacted- Chris’s message is that powerful. Chris touches on subjects such as peer pressure in high school, lack of confidence, and the need for coping skills and connection.  We cannot turn our heads and deny that our community and state is experiencing a substance use crisis.  Mr. Herren spoke at both North Country High School and Lake Region High School last May. One student reflected after the presentation that “Chris made being sober cool.” Another said that Chris “brought to light exactly what he was going through, and helped me believe that things can get better.”  We need this message now more than ever.  As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage our communities and loved ones, normalizing and prioritizing discussions around substance use are more important than ever.

The way Chris delivers his message is a gift and we want you all here to receive it. Chris sends the message loud and clear that there are alternatives to using drinking and drugs to feel better, to connect with others, to cope with hard things. We are at a critical moment in time, where more teens and families are experiencing mental health issues than ever before. We have to be outspoken about the fact that prescriptions alone cannot fix mental health issues, stress and trauma. Connection and coping skills, understanding and support are a big part of what makes a healthy person and society.

Addiction and mental health issues do not discriminate and are tearing apart families across the economic spectrum. We have to come together in order to get ahead of this very real problem.

We hope to see you out enjoying the presentation at North Country High School on November 30, and be a part change. With education and understanding, we can make all difference.

Please reach out to RSVP or to ask any questions to Lila Bennett, Executive Director of Journey to Recovery Community Center at lbennett@jtr-cc.org or (802) 624-3844.

Journey to Recovery Community Center and North Country Supervisory Union are collaborating to bring prevention and early intervention into focus for the student body at NCSU this school year.

Underage drinking, vaping and substance use are on the rise and NCSU is taking it seriously. For the 2022/2023 school year, Journey to Recovery will be embedding Peer Support and Recovery Coaches into the High School and Middle school to raise awareness and support at risk students.

North Country High School Principal Chris Young expresses his excitement surrounding this new program:

“North Country is thrilled to partner with JTRCC to provide much needed support to prevent and respond to issues of substance use in our student body. JTRCC’s expertise and philosophy are aligned with our focus on restorative and proactive strategies to help students, and we look forward to a great partnership.”

The mission of JTRCC is to “provide a supportive environment of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction related to substance use and misuse.”

Executive Director Lila Bennett is as enthusiastic about this collaboration as Principal Young and says that the “work in the schools goes hand in hand with our mission and vision.  We are seeing a rise in generational addiction as well as in substance use related overdoses and deaths, many in very young adults.  Working in the schools and with the student population is imperative to generating long-lasting change surrounding substance misuse in our community.”

The first step to addressing any problem is education, and that is just what JTRCC plans to do this school year.  The staff of JTRCC will be visiting the health classes, guidance classes and Physical Education classes to provide prevention education, and introduce concepts such as coping skills, and how to manage stress.

Students who are caught vaping or drinking will be required to engage with JTRCC Peer coaches.  The goal of this is to provide a positive and educational consequence for students rather than purely punitive measures.

Another goal of this collaboration for JTRCC is to be available for any parents that are interested in how to support their children and/or get educated themselves on the dangers of substance misuse. The line is often very blurry from what is recreational and what is problematic, and JTRCC is open to having conversations with anyone who has questions.

Assistant Director of JTRCC Amber Robbins is “excited to work in the schools to provide hope and show students skills to manage the many adversities of life, and find ways to be successful despite the challenges we often face.  Spreading awareness about the risks of early drug and alcohol misuse is a passion of mine, as is reducing stigma around substance use disorders in general.”

Working together to raise awareness, and to support youth and their families is the way forward.  JTRCC and NCSU are looking forward to a progressive and collaborative and educational school year.

For more information about JTRCC, please visit www.jtr-cc.org or call (802) 624-4156

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