MARCY, N.Y. - Chris Herren, former NBA player and recovering drug addict, gave a powerful speech to an assembly of students from SUNYIT, Utica College, and Mohawk Valley Community College on Monday night.The event was open to the public and included a number of area residents. All told there were several hundred in attendance at the event, which was hosted by SUNYIT on the floor of the Wildcat Field House.

Herren spoke of his 12-year struggle to attain sobriety, and kept the crowd riveted in silence throughout the hourlong talk, which featured stunning descriptions of Herren's rise, fall, and redemption.

To find out more about Chris Herren and the work his foundation does to combat substance abuse, visit http://www.theherrenproject.org/.