On Thursday, April 27th, Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a grassroots nonprofit organization based in Macomb County, will expand their programming to help more individuals and families in Michigan who have been affected by substance use disorder. In addition to launching a brand-new chapter that will cover Newaygo County, FAN will also be implementing their flagship Hope Not Handcuffs (HNH) program in police departments in the cities of Newaygo, White Cloud, Grant, and Fremont. The Center for Hope and Healing in White Cloud will also serve as a community partner for Hope Not Handcuffs.

 

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 9,400 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 a trained volunteer “Angel” will provide them with resources and work with the HNH Call Center to get them 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.

 

White Cloud Police Chief Dan Evans said that his department “is collaborating with Hope Not Handcuffs to combat the substance abuse problem in the community. We understand that treatment and recovery can be different from one person to next,” he explained, “and this program is adaptable to fit the needs of the individual. This program uses volunteer Angels that are local community members and the Angels have a vested interest in the success of the recovery process.” Evans added that his team is “looking forward to utilizing this new tool to help the addicted individual, with the understanding that their treatment and recovery will also benefit the community as a whole.”

 

In Fremont, Police Chief Tim Rodwell stated that his department “continues to identify and endorse effective approaches to drug abuse and prevention. We endorse Hope Not Handcuffs as one of these effective approaches helping those in need.” He went on to say that the initiative “facilitates an often-unattainable goal for those wishing to enter rehabilitation and get their life back."

 

Chief Georgia Andres of the Newaygo Police Department and Chief Bradley R. Wade of the Grant PD concur with their colleagues. “Giving our community members another option for treatment is a necessity to our officers,” Andres commented. “I'm excited to think we have another option for families in crisis from addiction." Wade agreed, saying that “the Grant Police Department is very excited for this new program, because it will allow an alternative for those needing help in Newaygo County."

 

Meanwhile, the new Newaygo 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. Beginning on June 5th, these monthly forums will be held on the first Monday of each month, at 6:45 pm, at The Stream, which is located at 1 State Rd. in Newaygo.

 

Newaygo FAN will be led by Executive Board President Melissa Dykman; Vice President Nicole Klomp; Secretary Missy Clark; and Treasurer John Larsen.