On Wednesday, October 19th, Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a grassroots nonprofit organization based in Macomb County, will expand their programming to help individuals and families in mid-Michigan who have been affected by substance use disorder. In addition to launching a brand-new chapter that will cover Mecosta and Osceola counties, FAN will also implement their flagship Hope Not Handcuffs program in the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, and Ferris State University Department of Public Safety.

 

FAN was founded in 2007 and is a community-based program for those seeking recovery from substance use disorder, those in recovery, family members affected by addiction, and community supporters. Their Hope Not Handcuffs initiative, launched in February of 2017, has compassionately connected more than 8,200 people statewide with the resources necessary to find recovery from addiction.

 

The 120+ agencies across Michigan that collaborate with FAN in the Hope Not Handcuffs program assist FAN’s efforts to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce their dependence on prescription medications, heroin, alcohol, or other drugs. The concept is simple: Any person who is battling a substance use disorder can go to any Hope Not Handcuffs-affiliated police department or community partner and ask for help. They will be greeted with support, compassion, and respect, and one of FAN’s trained volunteer “Angels” will provide them with resources and assist them with getting the treatment they need and deserve.

 

Hope Not Handcuffs also provides trained and certified Peer Recovery Coaches for the individuals who participate in the program, as well as Family Recovery Coaches for family members or loved ones. Addiction is a family disease, so the goal is to help everyone who’s been affected by it find recovery.

 

“Helping people in crisis is our job,” stated Big Rapids Department of Public Safety Chief Danielle Haynes. “Our partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs gives us another tool to better serve the members of our community who are suffering from substance use disorders. We know that jail is not always the best option, and we look forward to helping people start on the road to recovery.”

 

Detective Sergeant Timothy Jacobs of the Ferris State University Department of Public Safety is also pleased to be initiating Hope Not Handcuffs. “We believe the program will be a welcomed resource in our local community because it helps people with addiction get the help they need in a caring and compassionate way,” he commented. “When a person is ready and willing to seek treatment, Hope Not Handcuffs and local law enforcement agencies will provide help in a non-criminal and non-judgmental way.”

 

Meanwhile, the new Mecosta-Osceola FAN chapter will help citizens in local communities navigate the difficult task of dealing with substance use disorder. Among the resources the chapter will offer are their monthly FAN Forum meetings, which will be open to the public and be a place to learn, listen, grow, and share. These monthly forums will be held on the first Monday of each month, at 6:00 pm, at Liberty Baptist Church in Reed City, which is located at 485 Old U.S. Highway 131.

 

Mecosta-Osceola FAN will be led by Executive Board President Erin Clark; Vice President Wendy Lenon; Secretary Gail Bullard; and Treasurer Michael Mendenhall.

 

FAN’s Executive Director, retired Judge Linda Davis, is excited for the expansion of FAN programming into Mecosta and Osceola counties. “Adding a new chapter that covers two counties in this part of the state is a big win,” remarked Davis. “We will be assisting more families who, up until now, didn’t know where to turn to for help with a loved one’s substance use disorder. And the fact that we’re launching Hope Not Handcuffs in three local police agencies simultaneously is an added bonus. This will save lives.”

 

Please join us for this press conference at the Michigan College of Optometry Atrium, located at 1124 S. State St. in Big Rapids. Members of the new Mecosta-Osceola FAN chapter will be speaking, as will representatives from the parent FAN organization and local law enforcement. They will discuss how the new chapter intends to make a difference in the community, and what impact the expansion of the Hope Not Handcuffs program into the area will have.