WATCH: In Heroin Fight, HOPE, Education Are Important Components

The battle against heroin addiction can be very isolating, not only for the person fighting to recover but for their loved ones as well.

HOPE Sheds Light, a nonprofit based in Toms River, is working to change that, with a variety of programs to assist and support families through the recovery process.

“We understand addiction like few others do because most of us have felt this feeling before,” said Arvo Prima, co-founder of HOPE Sheds Light. “This disease is too powerful for most of us to go at alone, but together we can help one another find serenity, and even happiness, regardless of the actions of the qualifier.”

The group’s newest effort is a series of videos, its Addiction Education video series, which can be found on its YouTube channel.

“The purpose of this series is to tell everyone that recovery is real,” said Steve Willis, co-founder of HOPE Sheds Light. “We have an answer, a solution that is filled with joy and based fundamentally on love and years of experience.”

The video series will be used as an educational tool for school-aged children, teachers, Board of Education staff, parents, community leaders and the medical field.

“We want to provide awareness about the disease that has become an epidemic in our community so that our youngsters can make better decisions,” said Ron Rosetto, Co-founder of HOPE Sheds Light.

HOPE Sheds Light was started after the Rosetto family lost their son Marc to substance abuse and heroin experimentation in 2012.

“Since the family and friends of those with addiction problems often feel isolated, ashamed, overwhelmed and hopeless, HOPE Sheds Light was created to provide direction, resources and hope toward recovery and a future free from drug addiction,” Rosetto said.

Addiction is a manageable disease if treated properly, but can also be chronic, progressive and fatal if left untreated, Willis said.

“This disease affects the entire family – the individual, parents, siblings and grandparents,” he added.

“Everyone’s first thought is to cover-up, manage and dismiss the addict’s behavior,” Prima said. HOPE Sheds Light hopes to break this pattern through education and the willingness to change. “HOPE Sheds Light is helping one person at a time, one family at a time, step by step because we care,” Rosetto added.

HOPE Sheds Light has also announced it will hold its 2nd Annual Celebration of HOPE Walk on October 3rd in Seaside Heights, NJ. Learn more at HOPEShedsLight.org.

Watch the second video in the series below: