Photos: Heroin hits home

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Photos: Heroin hits home

When her teenage son became an addict, suburban mom Kate Boccia became an activist.

Kate Boccia retrieved her sons prized guitar from a pawn shop after he sold it to buy drugs. Boccia has left her son's room just as it was when he was sentenced to prison. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Kate Boccia sorts through a pile of press clippings she has collected about the justice system. She is hoping her son, Daniel, currently serving 15 years in prison will get a retrial. Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. Kate has become dedicated to supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Kate Boccia plays with her son's dog. Her son, Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. Kate has become dedicated to supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Daniel Boccia would hide drugs among family photos, books and collectables in his room. Kate Boccia has left her son's room just as it was when he was sentenced to prison. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Books on addiction are stacked on a shelf in Daniel Boccia's room. Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. His mom Kate has become dedicated to supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Posters from past fund raising efforts Kate Boccia held for hers son's legal defense. Her son, Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. Kate has become dedicated supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through and getting a retrial for her son. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Daniel with his sister in happier times, below, and with his family visiting him in prison. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Daniel Boccia with his family during a visit in prison. Kate Boccia's son Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. Kate has become dedicated supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Kate Boccia founded HOPE to help families going through what she faced with her son, who became addicted to heroin. Eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Kit Cummings, president and founder of the Power of Peace Project, Inc and Kate Boccia, founder of HOPE, a support/resource group for parents of addicted/incarcerated kids have combined their efforts to help children and their families. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Letter from Daniel Boccia to his mother Kate Boccia. Daniel, became addicted to heroin, eventually his addiction landed him a 15 year prison sentence for his part in a robbery. Kate has become dedicated to supporting other families that are at the onset of what she is now going through. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

Daniel Jay Boccia, jail mug.

Daniel Jay Boccia and Kate, his mother, in 2006, the year he took his first pain pill.

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Kate Boccia retrieved her sons prized guitar from a pawn shop after he sold it to buy drugs. Boccia has left her son's room just as it was when he was sentenced to prison. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM .

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