Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors unanimously approved a $19,500 grant Monday night from the Carbon County Commissioners to bring the nationally recognized Herren Talks program to the district.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid abuse and its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

The program, spearheaded by Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player whose battle with addiction has become a symbol of resilience and recovery, will feature three events. One presentation will be held for middle school students, another for high school students, and an evening session will be open to the entire community. All three sessions are scheduled for Feb. 26 at 8 a.m. for high school students, 12:30 p.m. for middle school students and 7 p.m. for the community.

According to Superintendent Jason Moser, the initiative aligns closely with the district’s commitment to equipping students and families with critical information to combat the opioid crisis.

“This is a fantastic event — impactful, solemn, and deeply important,” Moser said. “It’s an opportunity for our students and community to have a serious conversation about an issue that touches so many lives.”

Assistant to the Superintendent Mary Figura, who assisted in writing and submitting the grant, clarified that the funding was secured through the county commissioners’ independent efforts.

“Commissioner Rocky Ahner reached out to the district and suggested the Herren Talks program as the centerpiece for this funding,” she said. Figura noted that the initial grant allocation was $10,000 but the county later increased to $19,500 to cover nearly the full cost of the presentations.

While the grant covers most of the expenses, the district will contribute an additional $750 for travel costs.

Board members expressed support for the initiative and acknowledged the value it offers.

“For a $250 per session cost to us, this is a great value for what it offers our students and community,” Moser said.

District officials said plans are to widely advertise the community event, which will be held in the evening to ensure maximum participation.