Just because a person has a drug addiction doesn’t mean they can’t kick the habit.

Especially if they’re fortunate enough to have someone help steer them toward the road to recovery.

Enter Harry Fisher, who has been an officer with the Upper Perk Police Department for the past 16 years.

Fisher, of Mahoning Township, was called to make an arrest last year for a drug offense of a Montgomery County woman.

“I was investigating a prescription fraud, and my investigation led to this woman and she was taking prescriptions and writing them out for medications,” Fisher said. “She told me she needed help.”

Fisher said this particular woman whom he helped fight through her addiction holds a special place in his heart.

“Her story is amazing,” he said. “She started out having surgery, started having pain, that’s how she got tied into this.”

Fisher, in his role, would eventually help get the woman into a narcotics recovery program.

“She said she loved the way I treated her,” he said of the woman, whom he believes to be in her 40s.“That I kind of pointed her in the right direction.”

Fisher said there is Project Live program in Montgomery County that assists people with various addictions.

“She’s coming up on a year,” he said. “I’m very proud of her; it’s kind of like what I want to see more of, people go through recovery, pick themselves up.”

Fisher said drug court helps those individuals who want to have help toward recovery while also attending meetings.

“She’s the one that’s saying I saved her life,” he said. “She’s happy what she’s doing; she’s a really special person, and I just want to see her go forward and beat this addiction that she’s been doing.”

Fisher emphasized that there is assistance available for those struggling with drug addiction.

“There’s help out there; you can change the way you’re living,” he said. “I’m just an advocate for people who want to get better and fight their addictions; that’s what I like to see.”

Fisher said he believes often times addicts are embarrassed to reach out for help.

“I think a lot of problems with addicts is they feel they have nowhere to turn,” he said. “They need to know there are NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings to get a sponsor that helps you get through your addiction.”

That he was able to lead this particular woman down the right path is something Fisher said he’s proud of.

“It makes me happy that I’m able to help somebody,” he said. “I’m just happy that they’re able to turn their lives around.”