Rosecrance offers event to help school staff spot substance abuse in young athletes

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Sept. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- Registration is open for a half-day workshop for high school athletic directors, coaches, counselors and other staff to bring awareness and provide education on the topic of substance abuse among young athletes.

The event, presented by Rosecrance, is set for 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at Magiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg. Cost is $25, which includes breakfast, materials and CEUs. Register at www.rosecrance.org/events.

Titled “Game On,” the event features Chris Herren, former NBA player; Marc Anderson, LCSW, MGCP; and Dr. Tom Wright, Chief Medical Officer for Rosecrance. Attendees will learn how pressure to perform in sports can foster behavioral health problems in young athletes. The event is intended for anyone who works with student athletes, including athletic staff, teachers and medical professionals.

Chris Herren will discuss his journey from NBA stardom to heroin addiction to recovery. Drug and alcohol free for seven years, Chris has refocused his career on helping others. Chris formed The Herren Project in 2011 to increase education and public awareness on the dangers of substance abuse. He also wrote about his recovery in the book “Basketball Junkie” and was the subject of the ESPN documentary “Unguarded.”

Marc Anderson is a certified Mental Game Coach who works with athletes on sports performance enhancement. Along with his clinical experience, Mark was also a collegiate athlete and high school coach. He will speak to the culture of an athlete’s life and how the school and community can assist in positive outcomes, including strategies to prevent substance abuse.

Dr. Tom Wright, Rosecrance Chief Medical Officer, will talk about the peer pressure athletes face and what parents can do to prevent substance abuse problems in their family. Dr. Wright has more than 20 years of experience in the field of addictions. He oversees all medical operations for Rosecrance and specializes in working with adolescents who have a co-existing or secondary diagnosis in addition to an addiction disorder.

EVENT DETAILS: “Game On with Chris Herren”
Thursday, Oct. 8, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Magiano’s Little Italy
1901 E. Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL

REGISTRATION: Cost is $25 and includes breakfast and CEUs.
Register at www.rosecrance.org/events.

Media are welcome to attend.

CONTACT:
Judy Emerson
Director of Communications
Rosecrance Health Network
1021 N. Mulford Road
Rockford, IL  61107
815.387.5605 (office); 815.262.4685 (cell)
Email: jemerson@rosecrance.org