NEW YORK -- The Betty Ford Center announced today veteran radio personality Gregg "Opie" Hughes will receive the Betty Ford Center Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work employing and empowering sufferers of addiction in a ceremony Saturday.

Hughes, whose broadcast career has spanned the last 30 years, is well known for plucking his longtime partner, Anthony Cumia, from obscurity as a construction laborer and offering him his first position in broadcasting.

Cumia, a longtime alcoholic and former freebase user, went on to enjoy tremendous success as co-host of "The Opie & Anthony Show" for over 20 years until the show succumbed to his disease and was dissolved July 2014.

Hughes also took a chance on stand-up comedian Jim Norton, a sufferer of alcoholism and sex addiction. The New Jersey funnyman was eventually hired full-time on the nationally syndicated show.

"The Betty Ford Center is all about second chances," said Betty Ford spokesperson Rachel Cohen. "No one embodies this ethos better than Mr. Hughes, who has fought tirelessly for addicts throughout the New York area."

Hughes is also being recognized for his work with the local homeless population.

"It isn't always easy maintaining a professional relationship with an alcoholic and a dry drunk," said Hughes. "But I wish [Cumia and Norton] nothing but the best. I hope they get the help they need to live fulfilling, healthy lives."

Hughes is currently the frontrunner of a successful podcast on the Westwood One Network. The show centers around food, friends and laughter.

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