Chris Sullivan, a former New England Patriots Super Bowl champion who faced
challenges involving anxiety and addiction, is among the speakers at the Drive to Save Lives event presented by Algonquin's SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) on Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m..
Sullivan talks about how he dealt with the difficult and destructive decisions that affected his life at this presentation designed to help teenagers and parents find ways to keep kids safe when options such as alcohol, drugs, stress and mental health issues arise. As the press release reads, "Chris succeeded in becoming an NFL player from 1996-2002, playing in two Super Bowls for the Patriots and earning a Super Bowl XXXVI ring. He should have been on top of the world at that time; however his long term battle with anxiety and addiction took over his life and he lost everything he had. He describes the different ways he hid his anxiety and how it manifested into a substance abuse problem. He shares valuable insights for both students and parents of how to deal with
stress and anxiety before it takes over one’s life."
Also speaking is Kathi Meyer Sullivan, a mom who lost her daughter to an alcohol-related death. Sullivan talks about how the death could have been prevented and how it impacted friends, family and the entire community. According to a press release, Sullivan relays the story of her 17-year-old Taylor, who wandered from a party into the woods one night and drowned in only two feet of water.
Northborough Police Sgt. Det. Brian Griffin also talks about what local police are seeing in the community, and ways that parents and students can change behaviors.
The evening starts with an unveiling of videos created by Algonquin students based on "Absolut Awareness Oaths pledging to make safe decisions."