Page 14 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Families Against Narcotics coming to Wayne

By Sarah Shurge Mack.
Addiction is a disease that FAN started Hope Not Handcuffs
doesn’t just affect the addicted, it with the mission to bring law en-
also affects the family and friends. forcement and community organiza-
Many times, family members strug- tions together in an effort to find
gling with loved ones in active addic- treatment options for individuals
tion tend to feel ashamed and alone. seeking help to reduce substance de-
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) pendency.
has the mission to provide educa- The Wayne Police Department
tion, resources, and support to fam- has been a participating agency in
ilies and individuals impacted by Hope Not Handcuffs since March
addiction. FAN seeks to change the 2021.
face of addiction and end the stigma The Wayne Rotary Club part-
of addiction, while educating the nered with FAN and Hope Not Hand-
community, as well as those affected cuffs by holding two club events (in
by addiction by creating positive September 2020 and December
change in the treatment of addiction. 2020) to load backpacks for Hope
FAN chapters existed in many Not Handcuff participants.
other regions of Michigan but there Mack, also the Wayne Rotary
wasn’t a single FAN chapter in Wayne Club president, along with other
Country. That is until a decision was Wayne Rotarians and friends helped
made and a group of northwestern load 200 string backpacks with per-
Wayne County members decided it sonal care items like: toothbrush
was time to change that. and toothpaste (travel size), sham-
The Northwest Wayne County poo and conditioner (travel size), de-
FAN chapter was launched in March odorant, hard candy, granola bars,
2017. body wash/soap, face masks, hand
The first Monday of every month, sanitizer, bottled water, laminated
FAN puts on forums to spread infor- card with local resources such as
mation and offer a network of sup- food pantries, donation centers,
port to those affected by addiction. AA/NA meetings, etc.
Experts and guest speakers speak They also supplied items that
on all aspects of addiction to help would not fit in the backpacks such
the families. as: sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks
The Northwest Wayne County and small blankets.
FAN chapter will be having their No- These backpacks and items are
vember forum in Wayne at a new lo- “We welcome people in recovery, family, friends, people that placed in bins at every participating
cation. The FAN public forum will be police station. When someone comes
Monday, November 7th, at the Wayne work with people in recovery, people that work in recovery. through wanting help from Hope Not
Public Library from 6 – 8 p.m. Prior Handcuffs, they will be gifted with a
to the meeting will be a free Narcan Anyone can come.” backpack and those items.
training at 5:30 p.m. with a compli- More people have come through
mentary Narcan kit after the training. Laura Mack the Wayne Police Department for
You can attend the forum in per- Hope Not Handcuffs than any other
son or attend via Zoom. The meeting from Sober Living Homes, and rep- munity,” said Mack. “Close to location in Wayne County. The Wayne
ID is 402 899 9671 and the pass- resentative from Stronger Together 107,000 people in the United States Police Department has embraced the
code is 604110. Support Group. passed from opioid overdose in the program and promoted it on their
“If you or you know somebody “It’s a way to learn about addic- last 12-month span. That number marquee sign, which has brought
struggling with the disease of addic- tion and give tangible tools to help has gone up since last year. The ad- people in as well.
tion and have questions, this is your people,” said Mack. “We welcome diction problem isn’t going away and “We all need to work together to
chance to get answers,” said Laura people in recovery, family, friends, the pandemic didn't help. Even if it's lessen the stigma for people to get
Mack, current president of the people that work with people in re- not you, if it's a family member, or a help,” said Mack.
Northwest Wayne County Chapter of covery, people that work in recovery. friend, FAN has a lot of resources to For more information about FAN,
FAN. Anyone can come.” help people.” you can visit familiesagainstnar-
At the forum, questions about ad- This will be a free-wheeling FAN also provides sober living cotics.org. If you are interested in get-
diction and recovery will be an- forum where you will be heard, and grants to persons leaving residential ting involved, either by donating
swered by a panel of experts your questions will be answered. You treatment facilities, so they can be- supplies for backpacks or bins, or
including: a Peer Recovery Coach, a can share your addiction and recov- come strong in their recovery. donating money, please contact
Family Recovery Coach, a judge, law ery stories, or ask about treatment, “There isn't another organization nwwayne@familiesagainstnar-
enforcement, treatment providers, addiction, recovery pathways, the out there that does what we do. Peo- cotics.org, or contact Laura Mack at
counselors, an expert on multiple legal system, and more. ple need help more than ever and judgelauramack@gmail.com with
pathways to recovery, representative “It’s a great resource for the com- FAN is a way to get people help,” said any questions.
14 · November 2022 · The Wayne Dispatch