The First Day: A Focus On The Beginning
Chris Herren, former professional basketball player, author and wellness advocate, has shared his story of recovery with over 1 million people nationwide. The First Day film chronicles this journey revealing Herren’s vulnerability and his profound connections with high school students who, in turn, have shared their stories of struggle and strength. Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses issues that school systems, communities and people across the country are impacted by, directly or indirectly, each day including substance use, other harmful behaviors and mental wellness.
“The focus oftentimes is about the worst day when it comes to speaking about addiction and not the first day. Kids need to understand how this begins rather than how it ends.” - Chris Herren
Ways to view
If you missed our virtual screening on Monday, June 1, 2020 – there may find other opportunities to view the film by visiting The First Day Film website.
The First Day Film Event Q&A - June 1, 2020
Meet the Panelists
Cassidy Rodgers
Cassidy is graduating this year from the Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School. Her hometown is Corte Madera. Cassidy is a co-chair of the Youth Advisory Council, and a community advocate for battling substance abuse and mental health through speaking up for local policies that protect the youth. She incorporates her personal experiences with overcoming addiction and mental health struggles in order to spread awareness and educate her peers.
Dr. Jeff DeVido
Dr. DeVido is the Chief of Addiction Services for Marin County Department of Health and Human Services and is Behavioral Health Clinical Director at Partnership HealthPlan of California. He earned a Masters in Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School before entering medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He went on to complete adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry training at Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals at Harvard Medical School. Dr. DeVido is board certified in addiction psychiatry and addiction medicine. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of addictive disorders as well as general psychiatric conditions in the context of co-occurring medical illness.
jdevido@marincounty.org
Jon Hirsch
Jon is a teacher at Redwood High School where he teaches Social Issues, serves as the Tobacco Use Prevention Education, coordinates the Peer Educator team for nicotine education, and facilitates a substance use prevention club called Redwood Night Live. Jon has a passion for working with youth, with a special focus on educating and working with students who wonder about and struggle with substance use. One of Jon’s current roles is to meet with students found using nicotine on campus for brief, information based interventions. The success rate of these interventions has inspired their incorporation into components of Stanford’s Tobacco Prevention Toolkit. Jon has been teaching and coaching for twenty years and was named Redwood High’s Teacher of the Year for the 2018-19 school year.
jhirsch@tamdistrict.org
About Chris Herren
Chris Herren was a high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, who scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the 1994 McDonald’s All-American team.
Starting his collegiate career at Boston College, Chris transferred to Fresno State after several failed drug tests, playing for legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, known for giving second chances to players.
Chris realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999, and then was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000 until he suffered a season-ending injury.
With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and he now shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
His recovery journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” and the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded.”
More videos of Chris:
Note to Self - In this five minute CBS News spotlight, Chris reads a note to his younger self and chronicles his progressive addiction to drugs.
Where to go for help
Center on Addiction + Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
About Center on Addiction
Center on Addiction + Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Get One-on-One Help to Address Your Child’s Substance Use
Trained and caring helpline specialists are ready to listen, help you find answers and make an action plan to help your child. Please visit drugfree.org or connect by text, email or phone, with support available in English or Spanish.
https://drugfree.org/article/get-one-on-one-help/
Online Support Community for Parents & Caregivers
Join free, live gatherings to discuss the real-life issues and common concerns families face in these unique and uncertain times.
drugfree.org/COVID
Help & Hope by Text
Parents and caregivers can sign up to receive tailored resources and skills delivered via text message.
How it works:
1. Text ‘JOIN’ to 55753
2. Answer a quick series of questions about your child and their substance use.
3. Receive messages with information and support specific to your family’s needs.
https://drugfree.org/landing-page/helpandhope/
Huckleberry Youth Programs
For over 50 years, Huckleberry Youth Programs has partnered with Bay Area teens and families to overcome adversity. Huckleberry strengthens families and empowers young people with services that promote safety in times of crisis, physical and emotional health and well-being, social justice in communities facing inequality, and educational success.
TUHSD Wellness Centers
TUHSD Wellness Centers provide health, mental health, substance use/abuse and sexual health services to students through direct services, education, and prevention programming.
“That struggle stopped the day I started talking about it.” - Chris Herren
Suggested Post-Screening Discussion Questions
What thoughts and emotions came up for you while you watched the film?
What was one story or scene in The First Day that was compelling or difficult?
What societal pressures did you hear Chris Herren share in the film that contributed to his substance use?
What are some reasons that you think young people might use addictive substances like tobacco, alcohol or drugs?
What do you think prevents young people who are struggling from seeking help?
What does it mean to belong? What are the consequences of not belonging?
What pressures made Chris Herren’s recovery especially difficult?
What were the events and who were the people in Chris Herren’s life that contributed to the turning points in his
journey to recovery?
What kind of help is available for youth in your community who are known to be struggling, maybe binge drinking or
using marijuana to cope?
What advice would you give to young people who know a friend is struggling and is not sure what to do about it?
If you know that another parent’s child is using substances, would you tell them? Would you want to know if
the roles were reversed?
What should we do about underage drinking in our community?
Are our pediatricians, schools and mental health professionals trained to screen for substance use among our
youth and intervene appropriately when needed?
What can we offer our young people on a weekend night to reduce boredom and substance use? What alternative,
healthy activities are available to ensure that our community’s youth have opportunities to be engaged, socialize, and have fun without smoking, drinking, or using drugs?