HUBBARD, OH (WKBN) – To combat the issues with heroin addiction in the country, many officials say people need to start educating children.

Drug addiction not only impacts the user, but it also takes a toll on loved ones.

At 13 years old, Saphire Kimmel says she’s already learned a life-long lesson to not use drugs. Her mother, Holly Brest, says she decided to stop using drugs because of Kimmel. Brest has been clean for 13 years now.

“She showed me what the effects of drugs are in your life and why they should not be used, and she’s inspired me to never use them because of how bad they are,” Kimmel said.

Kimmel says she’s proud that her mother is now sober, and she has a message for kids her age.

“When using drugs it affects the mind and the body, mostly the mind, because once you use it, you’re like, ‘Oh my God this is great,’ but you’re pushing away all your friends and family,” she said.

Knowing that she played a role in her mother’s recovery brings up a lot of emotions for Kimmel.

“Happy is one of them. I’m very happy that she is clean and sober, and I’m very happy that I was a part of it to help her go through it and stuff,” she said.

Kimmel hopes she can inspire kids her age to not begin using drugs.

“Drugs have taken so many lives before, and it’s really sad to see how all this has happened before, and I wish people would stop using them because it’s horrible,” Kimmel said.

Brest hosted a Walk Against Heroin at Harding Park in Hubbard on Saturday to raise awareness about heroin addiction. Kimmel was one of the guest speakers, along with the mayor and police chief.

“I did it for my kids,” Brest said.

A balloon release at the end of the afternoon honored those who lost their lives to heroin addictions.