Lewiston School Superintendent Jake Langlais addresses the student body Thursday morning before introducing Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player who had a stint with the Boston Celtics before painkillers and eventually heroin led to a near-death experience. Herren has become a popular motivational speaker whose message deals with the drug epidemic and how it has affected the entire community. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Lewiston High School Principal Jonathan Radtke, top right, watches Lewiston School Superintendent Jake Langlais, bottom right, address the student body Thursday morning before introducing Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player who had a stint with the Boston Celtics. Herren spoke about his use of painkillers and eventually heroin that led to a near-death experience. He has become a popular motivational speaker whose message deals with the drug epidemic and how it has affected the entire community. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Chris Herren peeks into the Lewiston High School gym Thursday morning while being introduced to the student body. Herren, a former professional basketball player who had a stint with the Boston Celtics before painkillers and eventually heroin led to a near-death experience, has become a popular motivational speaker. His message deals with the drug epidemic and how it has affected the entire community. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Chris Herren paces through the halls of Lewiston High School near the gym Thursday morning while being introduced to the student body. Herren, a former professional basketball player who had a stint with the Boston Celtics before painkillers and eventually heroin led to a near-death experience, has become a popular motivational speaker. His message deals with the drug epidemic and how it has affected the entire community. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Lewiston School Superintendent Jake Langlais, right, addresses the student body Thursday morning before introducing Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player who had a stint with the Boston Celtics before painkillers and eventually heroin led to a near-death experience. Herren has become a popular motivational speaker whose message deals with the drug epidemic and how it has affected the entire community. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Lewiston High School students turn on their cellphone flashlights Thursday after lights were turned off in the gym to watch a movie. The student body was assembled to listen to Chris Herren, a motivational speaker, talk about his life, professional basketball career and near-death experience due to drug use. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal