The First Day - the Chris Herren Documentary

April is Alcohol Awareness Month 

BoroAWARE to Host Community Program

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.  This initiative is sponsored by the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) with the goal of raising awareness and providing resources for treatment in hopes of combatting one of the nation's largest health and social crises. The campaign also focuses on reducing social stigma associated with addiction by providing education regarding how the disease can be addressed; offering help and advice for families as well as direct engagement with those afflicted with alcohol addiction. 

Hillsborough Township proclaimed April as Alcohol Awareness month at the Township Committee meeting scheduled for April 9th.  

“Hillsborough is proud to be a stigma-free community. We will continue to support the efforts that will reduce stigma, increase community awareness, and increase support for individuals and families coping with alcoholism”, stated Mayor Robert Britting.

“Alcohol remains the number one drug of choice for Hillsborough’s youth. Based on the statistics  from the recent Pride Survey with our High School students, approximately 18% report using alcohol.  That’s why it’s important to get involved in Alcohol Awareness Month, and provide education to our students,” reported Minda Maggio, District Life Skills Coordinator.

“The mission of the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance also known as BORO-AWARE is to change lives and save lives by empowering our community to help manage and deter substance abuse and related issues through education, awareness, resource deployment, and advocacy,” stated Gil Pilarte, Chair of BoroAWARE, also known as the Hillsborough Millstone Municipal Alliance.

BoroAWARE will be hosting a community event on Thursday, April 25th at 7 pm at the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Complex, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough.  The program will feature a viewing of “The First Day - the Chris Herren Documentary”, with the opportunity for questions and discussion.  Refreshments will be provided and there will be many giveaways.  

Chris Herren was a high school All-American basketball legend from Massachusetts.  He was living every high school athelete’s dream come true on the outside, but the overwhelming pressure and expectations that come along with small town fame was a heavy burden.  Like some nay teenagers, Chris turned to alcohol to cope with his emotions.  

Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses some of the most difficult issues facing teens today. With substance abuse and addiction being one of the critical public health issues of our time, there is an urgency to address the epidemic. Listening to and learning from Chris Herren and the stories told in The First Day is an effective and powerful step towards this goal.  

“When it comes to speaking about addiction the focus oftentimes is about the worst day.  We need to focus on how this begins rather than on how it ends.  Prevention starts on the first day.” - Chris Herren

Join us on April 25th, registration is suggested through the following link - CLICK HERE, however walkins are welcome.