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Families Against Narcotics (FAN)
Clinton Township
Hero Story
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) was founded in Fraser in 2007, after two local young people died from heroin overdoses. The community was shocked, heartbroken, and determined to do everything they could to prevent another tragedy. After meeting in the basement of a local church, a passionate group of people set out to make a difference. Fast forward to today: What started as one small group in Macomb County has now grown into an organization with more than 20 chapters across the state of Michigan. Headquartered in Clinton Township with more than 50 employees, FAN’s mission is “to compassionately assist individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.” They do this by offering free, compassionate, community- and evidence-based services to anyone who has been impacted by addiction. FAN is a lighthouse, guiding people along a continuum of care, while instilling hope and striving to erase the stigma that still surrounds addiction.
In the midst of an ongoing opioid epidemic, people who are struggling frequently don’t know where to turn for help, while others become frustrated with trying to navigate a broken addiction treatment system. Over the years, FAN has created numerous programs to bridge gaps and break down barriers they have identified at various stages of the addiction recovery process.
Through these initiatives–which include Hope Not Handcuffs, the COMEBACK Quick Response Team, the Stronger Together family and friends support group, peer and family recovery coaching, sober living scholarships, community Naloxone Training, the HARM:LESS harm reduction support team, and the REDIRECT addiction-related diversion program–FAN provides a continuum of care for those with, or affected by, a substance use disorder. And all of FAN's programs are completely free of charge.
FAN’s flagship program, Hope Not Handcuffs, launched in February 2017 and has connected more than 9,800 people to the recovery resources they needed and deserved. Operational in 125+ police departments/community partners across the state of Michigan, the initiative connected 2,083 individuals to services in 2022 alone. FAN’s Call Center also answered 7,289 calls to its HOPE Line in 2022, or an average of nearly 20 calls every single day.
Other FAN programs have equally impressive numbers. For example, in 2022: FAN’s COMEBACK Quick Response Teams made 1,974 home visits; their Naloxone Training program held 242 training sessions and taught 2,741 people how to properly administer the opioid-overdose-reversing drug (across all initiatives, FAN distributed 8,694 naloxone kits to the public); and FAN awarded 1,230 sober living scholarships with a total value of nearly $190,000.00.
Never content with the status quo, FAN always looks for ways to make addiction treatment and recovery easier and more accessible for individuals and families, and continues to change and save lives.
Families Against Narcotics (FAN)
Clinton Township
Hero Story
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) was founded in Fraser in 2007, after two local young people died from heroin overdoses. The community was shocked, heartbroken, and determined to do everything they could to prevent another tragedy. After meeting in the basement of a local church, a passionate group of people set out to make a difference. Fast forward to today: What started as one small group in Macomb County has now grown into an organization with more than 20 chapters across the state of Michigan. Headquartered in Clinton Township with more than 50 employees, FAN’s mission is “to compassionately assist individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.” They do this by offering free, compassionate, community- and evidence-based services to anyone who has been impacted by addiction. FAN is a lighthouse, guiding people along a continuum of care, while instilling hope and striving to erase the stigma that still surrounds addiction.
In the midst of an ongoing opioid epidemic, people who are struggling frequently don’t know where to turn for help, while others become frustrated with trying to navigate a broken addiction treatment system. Over the years, FAN has created numerous programs to bridge gaps and break down barriers they have identified at various stages of the addiction recovery process.
Through these initiatives--which include Hope Not Handcuffs, the COMEBACK Quick Response Team, the Stronger Together family and friends support group, peer and family recovery coaching, sober living scholarships, community Naloxone Training, the HARM:LESS harm reduction support team, and the REDIRECT addiction-related diversion program--FAN provides a continuum of care for those with, or affected by, a substance use disorder. And all of FAN's programs are completely free of charge.
FAN’s flagship program, Hope Not Handcuffs, launched in February 2017 and has connected more than 9,800 people to the recovery resources they needed and deserved. Operational in 125+ police departments/community partners across the state of Michigan, the initiative connected 2,083 individuals to services in 2022 alone. FAN’s Call Center also answered 7,289 calls to its HOPE Line in 2022, or an average of nearly 20 calls every single day.
Other FAN programs have equally impressive numbers. For example, in 2022: FAN’s COMEBACK Quick Response Teams made 1,974 home visits; their Naloxone Training program held 242 training sessions and taught 2,741 people how to properly administer the opioid-overdose-reversing drug (across all initiatives, FAN distributed 8,694 naloxone kits to the public); and FAN awarded 1,230 sober living scholarships with a total value of nearly $190,000.00.
Never content with the status quo, FAN always looks for ways to make addiction treatment and recovery easier and more accessible for individuals and families, and continues to change and save lives.