MTV is rebooting its hit 16 And franchise with 16 and Recovering coming soon to the network.
16 And was originally based on 16 and Pregnant which followed sixteen-year-old expecting moms and eventually turned into what is now known as the Teen Mom franchise but is taking a turn with the reboot, instead focusing on youth drug addiction.
According to Deadline, 16 and Recovering will follow nine students at Northshore Recovery High School in Beverly, Massachusetts. Principal and Founder Michelle Lipinski reportedly founded the school in order to create a safe and supportive community for young people struggling with drug addiction, while “placing a high value on education and accountability.”
The new show follows 16 and Pregnant which, as the outlet points out, helped to reduce teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
WATCH: MTV’s 16 and Recovering Trailer
“As this generation comes of age into a society facing an opioid epidemic, we believe the power of storytelling – and collaboration with experts like NIDA and Michelle – will be a wake-up call for audiences, parents and community to break the stigma, foster empathy and expand access to treatment for young people,” said Chris McCarthy, President of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, in a statement.
“It has been a privilege to earn the trust of Michelle and these remarkable teens who bravely share their journeys and demonstrate such extraordinary resilience as they work to overcome addiction,” added Nina L. Diaz, President and Chief Creative Content Officer, ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group. “We are honored to bring their powerful stories to the forefront.”
16 and Recovering premieres Tuesday, September 1 at 9 PM ET/PT.
