Shows
Substance Free 02043Uncovering emerging Drug Trends Identified by Law Enforcement Officer 'Tall Cop'.Officer Jermaine Galloway, aka Tall Cop, has been working to combat drug and alcohol abuse problems in communities all over the country and the world for decades. Officer Galloway uses his vast knowledge of availability of substances and trends in their use to educate people and to provide strategies to those who find themselves on the front lines. He has advice for parents and young people alike about how to stay safe around drugs and alcohol by using common sense reasoning, not scare tactics. Tune in to hear what this experienced law enforcement officer has to say.
2023-04-1032 minSubstance Free 02043Well-known Boston actor and comedian Lenny Clarke discusses his recovery journey and career.Lenny Clarke is a familiar face to many, both for his work in the comedy industry as well as in film and television. Lenny is also known for the fundraising work he does as a way to give back out of gratitude for everything he has been through himself and for all of the people who have supported him. "I make people laugh, but I take my sobriety very, very seriously," he says. Tune in and hear about Lenny's personal experiences and learn what advice he has for parents and kids on how to stay safe around substances.
2023-03-2731 minSubstance Free 02043 Local Officials Describe Groundbreaking Ways of Addressing Opioid CrisisIt's only fitting that a new way of addressing the opioid crisis was launched in the birthplace of our country. Officials in Plymouth County, MA were at the forefront of this innovative approach. In 2015 when the number of opioid deaths began skyrocketing, District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald took a hard look at what was going on in their county and launched the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force which brought key stakeholders from all sectors of the community together. This model was groundbreaking in its simplicity and has been replicated across the country. A true test o...
2023-03-131h 01Substance Free 02043The 'King' of Boston comedy talks about life in recovery and working with inmates.Steve Sweeney has been dubbed the legendary King of Boston comedy, but he wears many hats. He is an actor, producer, writer and comedian. And while his humor may not always be for the faint of heart, his personal recovery journey and the work he currently does in the correctional system is guaranteed to warm your heart. Steve has been in recovery from addiction to substances for over 30 years. He draws upon his experiences when he talks with inmates in the Plymouth County and Suffolk County houses of correction. While he has seen some who are...
2023-02-2729 minSubstance Free 02043The Founder of first recovery high school in Massachusetts talks about his personal life and his career.Willie Ostiguy paved the way in the recovery community by founding the first recovery high school in Massachusetts. Since then he has opened several sober houses for men and one for women. Willie is a person in recovery himself. In this interview, he talks about his personal story as well as his family's history of substance use issues. He also describes the skills he used in raising his own children. Communicating with your kids and being diligent about knowing their whereabouts are tips he has for parents. Willie firmly believes education is important in enabling young people to make wi...
2023-02-1331 min
Substance Free 02043A popular stand up comedian talks about her recovery journey.Amy Tee has been a fixture on the Boston comedy scene for decades. In this raw and honest interview, she discusses the challenges she faced during childhood, what led her to pursue a career in comedy, how her battle with substances began and the ways in which she copes with her mental health today.Amy grew up as an obese child who was teased and bullied incessantly throughout her life. Being thrown into lockers and called names was an everyday experience. After losing weight and beginning the pursuit of a lifelong dream to do...
2023-01-3035 min
Substance Free 02043A mom turns the loss of her son from marijuana use into a mission of hope.Laura Stack of Johnny's Ambassadors talks about the risks of modern marijuana and its impact on the developing teen brain. Laura is extremely knowledgeable about the various new forms of marijuana (i.e. waxes, dabs, shatter), how marijuana differs in potency from even 10 years ago and the science behind marijuana's addictive nature.Laura also shares her personal story. She is from Colorado and lost her son to suicide after he became psychotic, paranoid and delusional as a result of his addiction to marijuana. Johnny was only 19 years old. He had begun using marijuana products...
2023-01-1637 min
Substance Free 02043A high school health teacher talks about the current trends in youth substance use and the critical role parents play in prevention.Karen Beatty has been the health teacher at Hingham High School, Hingham, MA., for over 20 years. She talks about a unique prevention program that she incorporates into her 10th-grade health classes and its impact on her students. She also shares information on past and current trends in youth substance use and also delves into the critical role parents play in preventing that use. Ms. Beatty oversees the administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in grades 7, 9 and 11 in the Hingham Public Schools. She describes its scope and purpose in assessing and teen behavior so that it can be effectively...
2023-01-0239 min
Substance Free 02043An addiction medicine doctor explains the science behind addiction and how substances impact our bodies.Dr. Todd Kerensky reveals the science behind addiction, breakthroughs in treatment and the reasons underage use of drugs and alcohol is so risky. He also describes how different substances impact the body and shares a poignant personal story of what brought him into this line of work. Dr. Kerensky has had a long career in the field of addiction and recovery, currently serving as Medical Director of Addiction Medicine at South Shore Health and Medical Director of Spectrum Health System's Opioid Treatment Program (Weymouth, MA.).Learn more about Hingham Cares' mission: https://www.hinghamcares.o...
2022-12-1946 min
Substance Free 02043High school students talk about the realities of teen substance use.Sarah Holler, John Jenkins and Rachel O'Connor are students at Hingham High School, Hingham, MA., where they run the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) program. SADD is designed to provide students with the tools necessary for making healthy choices in a variety of ways, including around substances. Sarah, John and Rachel talk about the work they do as well as their experiences and those of their peers. They encourage other teens to surround themselves with a solid group of friends who support them regardless of the decisions they make around substances and describe the important role parents play in...
2022-12-0523 min
Substance Free 02043Kathi and Chris Sullivan of Sullivan's Message share their story of loss and hope.Kathi Meyer began to speak about alcohol awareness and the importance of making good choices in 2009 after her daughter passed away from underage drinking. She met her future husband, Chris Sullivan, when she presented at her first parent night. A former NFL player, Chris was attending not as a parent, but as a man suffering from substance use disorder, anxiety and depression. Their road of healing continues together as they share their stories with colleges, high schools, community organizations and prevention coalitions around the country. Hear how one act of kindness can change the outcome of someone’s life an...
2022-11-2055 min