Former college and NBA basketball star Chris Herren in a Playing above the Influence event in conjunction with Gosnold of Cape Cod.
Photo courtesy of addictionrecoverybulletin.org
ORLEANS – An event tonight in Orleans will educate young people on substance abuse.
Playing Above the Influence is a program put on by the Cape Cod Baseball League and Gosnold of Cape Cod design to promote substance-free activities. It follows a similar presentation in Bourne last month.
The event starts at 5 o’clock at Eldridge Park, leading up to tonight’s game between Orleans and Brewster. Attendees will get to meet players and can take part in a variety of activities, including a K-9 demonstration by the Barnstable County Sheriff’s office, an obstacle course, and a slip-n-slide. Police cruisers from a number of Outer Cape towns will also be on display.
Former Celtic Chris Herren, who battled substance abuse, is tonight’s special guest. Herren has been drug- and alcohol-free since 2008 and travels around the country speaking to groups about his experience with substance abuse.
“Chris shows what can happen. You have a great career and good skills and you can still make mistakes. It shows the price you have to pay when you are hooked on drugs and other substances,” said Steve Garran, the President of the Orleans Firebirds.
“We have two audiences here. One is the kids. We hope that will help some folks,” he said.
