Recovering addict to tell his story at Purdue Northwest April 26

As a Valparaiso high school student, Herbert Stepherson began a 14-year battle with substance abuse that escalated to heroin and cocaine addiction, homelessness, eating from dumpsters and being strung out in some of the roughest Chicago neighborhoods during the dead of winter.

Now celebrating life as a man in recovery, Stepherson, 31, is an interventions coordinator, loving and active father, and author of the book, “Junkbox Diaries—a day in the life of a heroin addict.”

Relating his story April 26

He will share his story at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 26 at Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond Campus in Alumni Hall on the third floor of the Student Union & Library.

Stepherson’s presentation will include details of his first encounter with substance abuse while consuming alcohol at age 15, which progressed to use of prescription pain medication and ultimately cocaine and heroin.

Graduate student research presentations

His one-hour testimony, sponsored by Purdue Northwest’s School of Education and Counseling, will be followed by research presentations of graduate students enrolled in PNW’s Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs.

The two-part program is the first of an anticipated series offered by PNW’s School of Education and Counseling focusing on matters relating to uncontrolled use of substances and abuse of prescription medications in Northwest Indiana.

Though CEU, PGP and CRU continuing education credit is available to professionals who attend, community members also are invited to the program at no charge. Light refreshments will be served.