Who is Leonard (Len) K. Bias? Len Bias was born on November 18, 1963 in Maryland. He was a basketball star at the top of his game at the time of his tragic death. After graduating from Northwestern High School, Len Bias went on to the University of Maryland to play college baskeball. After four seasons of playing with the U of M Terrapins, Len entered the NBA draft of 1986. Len Bias was the second pick of the first round drafted to the Boston Celtics. The day after the draft Len Bias and his dad, James Bias, went back to Maryland. Later that evening Len Bias left to go back to his dorm room at the University of Maryland where it was reported that Len Bias met up with some of his teammates and friends and began to use cocaine. Len Bias passed out and never woke up. Len Bias died at the age of twenty two years old from a cocaine overdose without ever experiencing his dream of playing in the NBA.
Why is Len Bias's Death A Turning Point in History?
Len Bias’s death had a great impact on the War on Drugs. It relates to the History Fair Theme, Turning Points in History, because his death which was drug related led to the Anti Drug and Abuse Act of 1986. His death helped the "Just Say No" Campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs to younger people. We still have the "Just Say No" program today, but we call it "Red Ribbon Week". Len Bias became the face of America’s fight against the Drug Wars.