Adrian, MI – Face Addiction Now (FAN, formerly known as Families Against Narcotics), a Michigan nonprofit organization founded in 2007, is teaming up with law enforcement in Lenawee County to bring hope to people who struggle with a substance use disorder and want to find recovery. Since launching in February of 2017, FAN’s “Hope Not Handcuffs” program has connected nearly 13,000 people statewide with the resources necessary to find recovery from addiction.
The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office and the Adrian Police Department will implement Hope Not Handcuffs. The more than 140 police departments and community partners that offer the Hope Not Handcuffs program assist FAN’s efforts to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help for any drug or alcohol addiction. The concept is: Anyone who is battling a substance use disorder can go to any Hope Not Handcuffs-affiliated partner and ask for help. One of FAN’s trained “Angels” will provide them with support and resources while working with the Hope Not Handcuffs Call Center to get them treatment. Hope Not Handcuffs (HNH) 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. The goal is to help everyone who’s been affected by the disease of addiction find recovery.
FAN’s Hope Not Handcuffs program, which depends on volunteer Angels to help it run smoothly, is looking for people in the Lenawee County area to fill that role. “Our volunteer Angels are such an integral part of the Hope Not Handcuffs initiative,” Program Director Kim Baffo stated. “By volunteering as an Angel, people can assist fellow community members who are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction find recovery and get a fresh start on life. This makes the community as a whole healthier. By working together, we can also help reduce the stigma associated with the disease of addiction and facilitate positive change.” Baffo noted that the schedule for volunteer Angels is “extremely flexible” and the work is “incredibly rewarding.”
For more information about free training sessions, go to hopenothandcuffs.com and click on “Become Someone’s Angel.” You can learn more about FAN at faceaddictionnow.org.
Below is a video of the announcement of the launch, taken at the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office in Adrian.
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