There Is No Hero in Heroin Foundation Inc

I am the mother of a heroin addict, who for the past six years has been in and out of schools, rehabs, jail and prison. Because I am unable to help someone not willing to receive the assistance, I started an online closed Facebook group, entitled, “There is No Hero in Heroin”. The group was conceived on 1/12/12 and by the 31st of the month membership reached 100.

 We, a group of family and friends of addicts, or addicts in recovery, joked about celebrating the milestone. I suggested we release one black balloon for every year our loved one has been lost to addiction (using). I created and posted an event page, and it went viral. Not only did we have requests for host events as far away as South Africa, Canada, British Columbia, England, Italy and all over the United States, we had individuals posting their anticipated participation in the privacy of their own yards.

 

As attendance around the world grew, and suggestions flew in from  added the release of red balloons for loved ones who lost their battle with addiction (OD) and white ones for those who have overcome addiction (Sobriety).

 

Because the event has developed so great a following, I have already

formed a committee to create an annual event, If I can indulge you

to explain what this event means to families of addicts, here is a

comment left on the event page:

“My 18 year old son Steven died 1/12/10 from an accidental

overdose of oxycontin and his birthday is on 2/14/96 so this is the

perfect way to spend the day before his birthday.”

 

This event is to create solidarity, a feeling of not being alone, and a

chance to forget the helplessness and truly cling to hope, even just

for today.

 

Apart from releasing the balloons to raise awareness, I as the

founder of this event, have also started the There is No Hero In

Heroin Foundation, hoping to raise donations to send

addicts to rehab, help offset the cost of family counseling and

continue to raise awareness world wide. The committee also

envisions speaking engagements, fundraisers and other planned

venues to bring the plight of addiction, the scarcity of rehabilitation

programs, and the need for quality federally and state funded rehab

programs into the public spotlight. We will also raise the curtain on

addiction in our schools and work towards holding drug courts

more accountable. There is no hero in heroin, only those who

overcome. (Heroin is a metaphor for all drugs in this case

Help me raise awareness by supporting There is No Hero in Heroin Foundation. For more information, visit

www.tinhihfoundation.org 

Steve, my son has been clean over 400 days. The foundation has been able to touch the lives of 40 teens, 30 parents and over 400 community members searching for assistance with addiction in one form or another. Your donation can make the difference between and addict and a survivor. There is no Hero in Heroin, only those who overcome!