Eye On Education: Addicts Find Hope At Northshore Recovery School
BOSTON (CBS) -- When Luke Hubbard graduates on June 1, this high school senior from Reading won't just celebrate academic achievement but a personal victory as well.
"I never thought I'd come close to graduating high school, or come close to turning 18," he told WBZ. "I just thought I'd be dead or something would happen."
Hubbard is a recovering addict.
"I like to say that I didn't sleep for two years because I was doing so many drugs," he says.
He turned it around when his mom helped him transfer to Northshore Recovery High School in Beverly.
Of Northshore, Hubbard said, "This place has completely changed my life. It saved my life."
Maryellen Hubbard, Luke's mother, says she appreciates what the school has done to help those struggling with addiction.
"This is a place where kids come, they're loved and they're met exactly where they are," she said.
Northshore Recovery started 10 years ago. Funding comes from a school district, along with the Department of Public Health, and so far they've graduated more than 170 students with a high school diploma and more.
Students in all phases of recovery have come from 39 school districts. The staff offers help and hugs.
The enormity of the emotional toll showed as Gov. Charlie Baker signed an opioid bill in March.
"When I saw the governor tear up, for me it was one of those pivotal moments," says Northshore Recovery Principal Michelle Muffett-Lipinski, who started the program.
"What went through my mind was...(we have) another ally in the fight. I have somebody who sees it, who understands it and who can advocate for these children."
She says we all often treat these kids like they're bad, when they're sick.
"The students that come here are committed to their recovery - they're committed to taking drug tests they're committed to doing what they need to do to stay on this earth and be successful."
After graduation, Luke is filming a documentary about being young and sober before heading to community college.
"It's kind of scary just to know I won't have this support system to go to every day," he says. "I'm happy. I'm looking forward to the future."
Muffett-Lipinski says enrollment is down and she hopes the next phase of commitment to the five recovery schools in Massachusetts will be increased funding for transportation so more students who need the help will enroll.
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