Swampscott's 'Hidden In Plain Sight' Explores Teen Opioid Abuse

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott teens and their families are invited to hear speaker Matthew Bocchi's powerful story of loss, addiction, recovery and healing as part of the "Hidden in Plain Sight" presentation Thursday night at the high school.

The event, presented with the use of funding from the state opioid settlement, is designed to raise awareness about the signs and dangers of opioid abuse among teens and where to go for help if a young person or someone they know is struggling with it.

The event is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Swampscott High auditorium and will include a discussion and the "Hidden in Plain Sight" simulation where a student's bedroom will display 15 or more objects commonly associated with substance abuse that help teens and young adults hide their use.

Michelle Simons, the Swampscott Health Department's new Opioid Settlement Funds Program Contractor, will be available to talk with parents and community members about what local
resources are available after the presentation.

Bocchi previously spoke to students and staff at Swampscott High School on March 11 and he also held a presentation for parents and community members that same evening. The Swampscott
High School students completed a survey after his presentation in the spring and overwhelmingly requested that he return and speak with them again.

Bocchi will also be presenting to students and staff at both Swampscott High School a Swampscott Middle School for the 7th and 8th graders earlier on Thursday.

"I was fortunate to attend Mr. Bocchi's presentation with the high school students last year," said Superintendent Pamela Angelakis. "His message was powerful, and he connected with the students and held their attention throughout his presentation. We are so fortunate and grateful to have him return this year."

"Throughout his presentation at the high school students were captivated by his journey," Hadley Woodfin, Health Educator at Swampscott High School, added. "Following the presentation, Matt spent the remainder of the school day in my classroom, which turned into a revolving door of students coming to talk to Matt one-on-one about his journey, or their similar experiences with loved ones, a friend, or someone they knew.

"As a health educator, I know lessons within the classroom reach students on the risks associated with drug use, but Matt's presentation reached farther than I could have ever imagined. So much so, I had students coming up to me on a regular basis asking when Matt would be returning to our schools."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)