Herren Visit to New Canaan Aims to Inspire Meaningful Conversations

New Canaan CARES, in partnership with Silver Hill Hospital, RAM All Sports Booster Club, NCPS, New Canaan Library and St. Luke’s School is thrilled to welcome former professional basketball player and wellness advocate Chris Herren to New Canaan for a powerful discussion on substance use prevention.

The program will take place on Thursday, March 27th, at 7 PM at New Canaan Library and is open to all parents and community members. Chris will speak with students in Grades 9-12 at New Canaan High School during the school day on Thursday, March 27th.

"We are honored to have Chris Herren speak to students, parents, and community members about the importance of reframing the substance use conversation," said Colleen Prostor, Executive Director of New Canaan CARES. "Prevention is about delaying a teen’s first use of substances until their brain is fully developed."

Chris Herren, a former NBA player, has dedicated his life to educating others on the dangers of early substance use. His presentation emphasizes shifting the focus from how addiction ends to how it begins, empowering families and communities to take a proactive approach to prevention. This program will offer valuable insights into the risks associated with early substance use and highlight the importance of open, judgment-free conversations between parents and children.

Maureen Asiel, Education and Program Manager at CARES, emphasizes the significance of this discussion, stating, "We at CARES feel that it is so important to provide programming that creates parent-child conversations." By bringing Herren to New Canaan, the CARES team aims to inspire meaningful discussions that will help delay the "First Day" of substance use and equip families with the tools to make informed decisions.

The program is free and open to the public, register at www.newcanaancares.org