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 designed to promote substance-free activities. It follows a similar presentation in Bourne last month.
Former Boston 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.
“We have two audiences here. One is the kids; we hope that will help some folks in our region. We know there is a big drug problem on Cape Cod,” said Steve Garran, the President of the Orleans Firebirds.
“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 Garran. “The players should be able to relate to Chris a lot, being a former professional athlete. I’m sure that message will be coming through very strongly. Chris will speak with the players privately about his experiences in a way to teach the players to learn from him.”
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.
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