DUBLIN -- They came to tell Valley Christian Center students their terrible stories of lives harmed by addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Gregg Aldrich pushed a shopping cart through downtown San Diego.

Brian Kring, at the age of 39, has lost about 40 jobs.

Chris Rivers tried to shoot himself with a sawed off shot gun.

These recovering drug abusers and alcoholics from Oakland's Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center spoke before a stunned assembly of 450 students Tuesday morning in the hopes that their message would save others from falling into the trap of addiction.

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