The Training Coalition of Brownwood; a group of educators, business leaders and civic leaders; are hoping to bring a bigger and better drug awareness program to Brownwood this year by bringing a speaker, former Boston Celtic Chris Herren, to the area.  They are asking for sponsorship help from businesses and individuals who support their cause to help make this a reality.

Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley stated that he was really impressed with an ESPN movie, “Unguarded,” which was released in November of 2011 and is the story of Massachusetts basketball prodigy Chris Herron’s struggle with substance abuse which ruined his college and NBA careers.  Herren is now sober and clean, working as a children’s coach and is now a motivational speaker who brings the message of recovery and hope.  Corley stated that he felt having Herren speak in Brownwood could impact the kids and adults of this area.

“I truly believe this guy could change lives in Brownwood if we could just get him here,” said Corley.

Corley explained that the idea started after talking with three of the attendees of the Citizens’ Police Academy who were talking to him about participating in the Training Coalition’s annual drug awareness program that offers continuing education for counselors and caretakers of youth and children.  The coalition usually has a drug awareness seminar each year that focuses on drug awareness for kids and that it is usually led by local or area experts such as narcotics officers and drug counselors that do not charge a fee to speak.

After speaking with the three ladies, Chief Corley said he thought to himself, “why couldn’t we make this bigger?” He approached the Training Coalition about looking into what it would take to get Herren to speak in Brownwood.

The idea of Herren coming to speak was well received, but upon calling to see what his speaking cost would be, the group knew they needed community support to make it happen.  Typically Herren receives $15,000 to travel and speak; however, since the Training Coalition is made up of nonprofit groups such as Head Start and Central Texas Opportunities, the cost is discounted to $7500.  Donations of $2000 have already been pledged as of Monday afternoon according to Corley and the group is hopeful that community businesses and individuals will also join the effort.  Donations from surrounding towns are already being received so that their children may also attend the event.

Instead of having just a training seminar about drug awareness for youth, the group plans to open the event up to the community, for everyone.  Corley said he has been told that if the community is able to get Herren here, venues such as a school auditorium, large church facility or the Brownwood Coliseum would be needed.

Corley said he is “throwing it out to the community to see what kind of support we get” and hopes that businesses and individuals will support the idea and make Herren’s visit to Brownwood a reality this summer.

Those interested in supporting this effort can contact the Brownwood Police Department by calling 325-646-2525.

For more information about Chris Herron, visit http://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/chris-herren.