Alex’s story

Lin Illingworth

Teghan Kelly and Alex coming to HB to share a special story.

Niki Maragos and Tyler O'Brien
April 13, 2016

Alex has shared his story with many schools, but at Hollis Brookline High School, the students seemed caught by the story’s meaning. The past two Mondays, April 4 and April 10, freshman through seniors gathered in the auditorium during CavBlock to hear Alex’s story.  

 

The program began with Alex’s story, although he was not the one to share his story with viewers. Teghan Kelly, a junior at the University of New Hampshire, came along with Alex to tell his tale for him. Kelly, a musical theater major, tells Alex’s story from the start of eighth grade up to his current life before Alex even steps on the stage to introduce himself. This powerful tactic is used to show that drug abuse does not discriminate on age, size, or gender.

 

Kelly first heard about Alex’s Story in a job ad and looked into it because it was a paid gig. “After going to three schools with Alex, it became something different. It was truly impacting lives,” Kelly told The CavChron.

 

The pair now travels to schools together, where Kelly first tells Alex’s entire, powerfully tragic story before Alex enters the spotlight to answer questions.

 

Alex, only 20 years old, has lived a very full life and has immense poise when answering students’ questions. “It is important having young people talk to young people. It’s how you get the message across,” Kelly stressed.

 

Alex wants to help students understand the danger of experimenting with drugs. He explained, “I just ask for respect, and I want to see students ask questions.”

On notecards given from the audience, Alex got a lot of good feedback from students; many did inquire about the dangers of drug addiction, which is exactly what Alex had hoped for.

 

“It helps me to give back to the community,” Alex said, adding that he uses his story to help his recovery. Growing up across the river in Hudson, his experiences are similar to those of many New Hampshire residents.  

 

Like many heroin survivors, Alex started with prescription drugs – which are hard to kick. Although they weren’t prescribed to him, his friend had gotten them from a pharmacist who had prescribed more than needed. Alex thinks that painkillers such as Oxycontin are “overprescribed” and highly addictive.

 

Alex has gone through more than most parents would want for their child. He has shared his story to many students in hopes of making an impact. 

 

Markus Akatyszewski ‘16, explained his feelings, “I perceive him as a good guy who knows what’s right from wrong,” he continued, “we all make mistakes; it’s what you learn from them that counts.”