IUPUC Speaker Series, in partnership[ with ASAP Bartholomew County presents renowned authors and speakers David and Nic Sheff who after their life experience became advocates of addressing drug addiction and the host of problems it creates in this country.
As a young teen, Nic Sheff smoked pot, did cocaine and ecstasy, and developed an addiction to meth and heroin. His father, David Sheff is a renowned journalist who has written for The New York Times, Fortune and Rolling Stone. Throughout his son Nic’s addiction, David maintained unwavering hope; all through his son’s struggle to survive, he was unwavering in helping Nic overcome drugs.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
Methamphetamine use causes changes in the brain's dopamine system that are associated with reduced coordination and impaired verbal learning. In studies of people who used methamphetamine over the long term, severe changes also affected areas of the brain involved with emotion and memory. This study may explain many of the emotional and cognitive problems observed in those who use methamphetamine.
A recent study even suggests that people who used methamphetamine have an increased the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the nerves that affect movement,” (drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine).
Nic is now in his twenties and a recovered drug addict and alcoholic. He has written two memoirs, Tweak, and We All Fall Down that tells the story of his experience.
David wrote an award-winning New York Times best-selling memoir about their experience, titled Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction. After the book's release, David encountered many people struggling with the same scenario. Because of this, David has developed an objective to learn why drugs are so prevalent in the United States.
Compellingly straightforward, Nic and David share their story of addiction, understanding mental health, preventing drugs and the road to recovery. They argue that by addressing addiction, we take serious action against a host of other problems created and exacerbated by addiction, such as gun violence, domestic abuse, and any other mental illness-related issue.
The Speaker Series event scheduled for Wednesday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m. in the Columbus Learning Center Lecture Hall located at 4555 Central Avenue. Tickets are required for the FREE event. You can register online at IUPUC.edu/speaker-series. A light lunch will be offered after the event.
This IUPUC Speaker Series event is sponsored by Rick and Alice Johnson.
IUPUC Speaker Series
As the only four-year public institution in south central Indiana, IUPUC is a thought leader in the region and in partnerships with critical regional organizations and supporters. The collaborative development of a sponsored hybrid colloquium/speaker series at IUPUC reinforces this position through speaker presentations, exhibits, and discussions on relative topics.