“Build a life worth protecting.” That was the message delivered to 8th and 9th grade students by Stephen Hill, the founder of Speak Sobriety. Hill is a renowned national speaker on substance use prevention and mental health. He spent more than 12 years as an addict, beginning at age 13. At age 25, Hill began his work to overcome his severe substance use disorder. By 33, his life completely turned around. Not only does he work in the field of addiction prevention, treatment and recovery, he started his own speaking and coaching company, received his bachelor’s degree with honors from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, passed the New York bar exam, and published his memoir, “A Journey to Recovery.”
Hill spoke in front of Schuylerville students for an hour, instilling a message that there are so many ways to live your life without drugs or alcohol.
“At the end of the day, it has to be on you,” Hill said. “What do you really want from your life?”
Hill spent two days in Saratoga County, speaking to students in Schuylerville, Ballston Spa, Corinth, and Saratoga Springs high schools. The presentations were made possible as part of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors’ commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic through prevention, education, treatment, and response efforts. This is Hill’s second time visiting Schuylerville High School; the district provided Hill’s presentation, First Choice, Second Chance to students last year as well.
“What I find to be most effective is sharing a real-life story,” said Hill. “I know 52 people who lost their life to a drug overdose. Go out there and take healthy risks, just not the risks that could take your life.”