PRESS CONFERENCE

Location:Front Steps of Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Rd.,Southfield, MI 48075

Date / Time:Wednesday, August 10 at 1:00 p.m.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a Macomb County-based nonprofit organization founded in 2007, is teaming up with the Southfield Police and Fire Departments to relaunch/launch an important program that brings hope to people who are struggling with a substance use disorder and want to find recovery.

FAN’s Hope Not Handcuffs initiative, which has compassionately connected more than 7,800 people statewide with recovery resources since commencing in February of 2017, was originally launched by the Southfield Police Department in September of 2021—in the midst of the COVID pandemic. For that reason, FAN and the Southfield PD are taking this opportunity to relaunch the program, in an effort to make the community more aware of it.

In addition, FAN is extremely excited to announce that the Southfield Fire Department will be the first fire department to offer Hope Not Handcuffs.

Organizations that have implemented 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, and 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 guide them through a brief intake process to help them get 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. The goal is to help everyone who’s been affected by the disease of addiction find recovery.

By becoming a Hope Not Handcuffs community partner, the Southfield Fire Department helps expand the options available to people in the Southfield area who need help with their substance use disorder. “The Southfield Fire Department has been focused on bringing healing back to the community,” Chief Johnny Menifee stated. “We have been working hard with Families Against Narcotics to bring this additional resource to our community, which needs and deserves it.”

In addition to being able to connect participants to Hope Not Handcuffs for recovery resources and treatment options, the fire department will also be able provide medical attention and transportation to the hospital for those who need it.

Linda Davis, FAN’s Executive Director, appreciates Southfield’s commitment and dedication to helping those impacted by addiction. “We’re so pleased to have both the police and fire department in Southfield involved with Hope Not Handcuffs,” she said. “Together, we will get people the help they need and save lives. Hopefully, more fire departments will follow Southfield’s lead and sign up to be a Hope Not Handcuffs partner.”

Please join us for this press conference to learn more about this relaunch/launch of Hope Not Handcuffs in Southfield. Police Chief Elvin Barren and Fire Chief Johnny Menifee will be speaking, and representatives from Families Against Narcotics and Hope Not Handcuffs will be on hand to share information and answer questions.

About Families Against Narcotics

Founded in 2007, Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is a nonprofit organization based in Macomb County, Michigan. They work to educate communities statewide about addiction, dispel the stigma associated with the disease, and compassionately support and assist those affected by it. FAN’s initiatives include Hope Not Handcuffs and the COMEBACK Quick Response Team wellness check program. The organization has 20 chapters across the state of Michigan, with 13 more slated to launch soon. You can learn more about FAN at familiesagainstnarcotics.org, and more about Hope Not Handcuffs at hopenothandcuffs.com.