Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey has been making the news as of late for his efforts to combat gun violence nationwide. But next week Senator Markey will team up with recovered drug addict and former Boston Celtic Chris Herren to discuss the dangers of heroin and prescription drug abuse.

According to Senator Markey’s office, he and Herren will head to the South Coast city of Taunton, joined by Mr. R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, to examine “approaches to reduce overdose deaths from prescription drugs and heroin, including expanding access to drug treatment, and the use of naloxone – a lifesaving overdose reversal drug.”

During his standout basketball career at nearby Boston College, Fresno State University and various professional basketball teams including our own Boston Celtics, during which time he was an avid user of cocaine, heroin, oxycontin and crystal meth, Herren has been alcohol- and drug-free since 2008.

Aside from teaching basketball, Herren travels the country the country sharing his personal story of abuse and recovery in hopes of deterring those starting down the same path he once did.

Senator Markey and his constituents have cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says that drug overdose deaths, driven by prescription painkillers, now surpass homicides and traffic crashes in the number of injury deaths in America.  In 2010, approximately 100 Americans died from overdose every day. Prescription painkillers were involved in over 16,600 deaths that year. Heroin was involved in about 3,000.

The speakers will convene at Taunton Central Fire Station on Monday, February 24 at 11:45 a.m.