FAN Newsletter for the Week of 1/16/23 |
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to its length, this newsletter may be cut short by your email program. If so, please click on the "View Entire Message" (or similarly worded) link that appears at the bottom of this email.
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FAN Friends & Family...
Welcome back to our first "regular" newsletter of 2023. We hope you and your loved ones had a great holiday season and wish you nothing but the best for the new year.
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Macomb FAN Forum Is Tuesday |
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We'd like to remind you that our monthly Macomb FAN Forum is happening on Tuesday, January 17th, at 7:00 pm, at Paradox Church in Warren. This month's forum is all about medication-assisted treatment--commonly known as MAT--which is a clinically effective addiction treatment that works for a lot of people. Is it for everyone? No. Does it have potential drawbacks? Yes. But it is something worth exploring if you or a loved one struggles with addiction. For more information about this forum, scroll down to the "Upcoming FAN Forums" section of this newsletter.
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Did You See FAN on the Evening News? |
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We also want to share a couple of FAN-related stories that appeared on local TV stations last week, just in case you didn't see them live or on social media. |
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First up is CBS Detroit's story about our Hope Not Handcuffs program and its need for volunteer Angels. To view the video of the story, you can go to THIS LINK. And if you or someone you know would like to volunteer for Hope Not Handcuffs and help us change and save lives, please visit THIS PAGE on our website. We truly need all the help we can get.
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Local 4 also featured a FAN program in a news story last week. In a report about the proliferation of fentanyl and the havoc it's wreaking on our communities, channel 4 interviewed members of our HARM:LESS harm reduction support team. That gave the team the opportunity to spotlight some of the things HARM:LESS is doing to help keep people safe and save lives. To watch this story, CLICK HERE.
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Welcome to Hope Not Handcuffs, Oakland University! |
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This past Friday, we launched Hope Not Handcuffs with the Oakland University Police Department. We're excited to have another college campus police department on board with our program and appreciate Oakland University and their PD for taking a proactive approach, giving OU students and staff a safe and compassionate means of getting help for a substance use disorder. Together we can change and save lives! Pictured from L to R are: Lieutenant Nicole Thompson (OUPD); Safaa Elmessiri (FAN Oakland County Program Coordinator); Kim Baffo (HNH Program Director); Sofia Osorio-Martinez (HNH Program Assistant); Sergeant Don Blalock (OUPD); and Officer Brett Vanderford (OUPD).
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Candlelight Tribute Highlights Video |
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Lastly, if you didn't get to attend our annual Holiday Candlelight Tribute last month, you can watch a brief highlights video of the event at THIS LINK. It was, as always, a beautiful ceremony, and we'd like to thank everybody who came out for it. Also, a big thank you goes out to the generous people at Testa Barra in Macomb Township for providing the delicious food!
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ADDICTION & RECOVERY IN THE NEWS |
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U of M's New Approach to Treating Alcohol-Related Liver Disease & Alcoholism |
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NBC News recently aired a story about a new method of treating alcohol-related liver disease and alcoholism. The program, which is happening at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is designed to treat the body and the mind at the same time. "A liver damaged by excessive drinking can be treated, but it won't save a patient's life if alcohol is still in the picture," the story states. By connecting patients to a team of both physical and mental health practitioners, the program hopes to not only heal a person's liver disease, but also help them find sobriety. The story also discusses the alarming rise in alcohol-related diseases and death among younger adults. You can read/watch the NBC News story HERE.
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How Can Human Resources Address the Opioid Crisis? |
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For human resources departments, the rise in substance use disorders in today's society has presented a new problem: how to help employees who struggle with addiction. Hans Morefield, the CEO of CHESS Health--a digital health company that deals with the addiction crisis--was interviewed by HR Exchange Network about this subject. Morefield is a firm believer in employers taking a "more active role in trying to help their employees get support for themselves or for their loved ones." He also adds that "around 8% of Americans struggle with substance use disorder. If you’re an employer, the likelihood is that someone in your company is struggling with addiction." To read more about how Morefield thinks employers can assist their employees who battle addiction, see the complete HR Exchange Network interview at THIS LINK.
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How Narcan, Kindness, and a Sober Living Home Saved One Man's Life |
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"I had to relearn how to do everything I was taught as a child, from brushing my teeth to learning how to have a conversation with a human being again." Those words belong to Leon Nelson, who wrote an opinion piece about his struggle with addiction for the San Diego Union Tribune. Nelson--the manager of a sober living home in San Diego--suffered his first nonfatal overdose when he was 29 and remained unconscious for 40 minutes. Narcan and paramedics brought him back to life. Later, Nelson underwent 4 months of inpatient treatment before moving into a sober living house. Along with Narcan, Nelson credits his sober living house and kindness with saving his life. "If it wasn’t for my recovery house and support system, I don’t know where I would have ended up." To read Nelson's opinion piece in its entirety, CLICK HERE.
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Would you like to help us help others? If so, please feel free to click here to make a donation--large or small--to FAN. We can always use your assistance! And for an overview of all the programs FAN offers, click HERE. (Families Against Narcotics is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, #26-2302028.)
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ONGOING FAN TRAINING SESSIONS & SUPPORT PROGRAMS |
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FAN's naloxone training and Hope Not Handcuffs Angel training sessions take place on an ongoing basis, as do our Stronger Together family and friends support group meetings and Yoga for Recovery classes. You can find the schedules for these ongoing events at the links below. |
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Be prepared to save a life. FAN's free naloxone training will teach you how to properly administer this safe drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. These 1-hour sessions are offered both in-person and virtually, and all attendees will receive a free naloxone kit containing 2 doses of NARCAN® nasal spray. For more information and registration, go to the link below.
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Our Hope Not Handcuffs program needs volunteers now more than ever to help us make a difference! Take our free training (in-person or virtual), become an Angel, and help people who are struggling with substance use disorder get started on the road to recovery. You can make a huge difference in someone's life! Being an Angel has never been easier, the hours are flexible, and the work is incredibly rewarding, so please consider volunteering! To find out more, or to register for a class, go to the link below.
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Held both in-person and virtually, FAN's Stronger Together family and friends support group meetings will help you learn to support your loved one who is struggling with addiction in a way that is healthy for both of you. You’ll benefit from the encouragement and experience of other families facing similar circumstances, and be able to move from a life of chaos and despair to a life of joy and purpose. For a complete listing of meetings--including those specifically for grandparents or spouses/partners--go to the link below.
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FAN is pleased to offer Yoga for Recovery classes in partnership with MAC Gym in St. Clair Shores. These FREE classes happen every Thursday at 6:00 pm and are for individuals and families in recovery. A yoga mat and water will be provided, and all levels of participants are welcome--no previous yoga experience is required! Classes are limited to the first 20 people who sign up. For more information and registration, go to the link below.
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FAN Forums are open to the entire community as a resource for navigating substance use disorder, and are truly a place to learn, listen, grow, and share. Watch this space for upcoming forums! |
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Tuesday, January 17th, at 7:00 pm: MACOMB FAN IN-PERSON FORUM (Free naloxone training prior to forum at 5:45 pm.) Location: Paradox Church, 28241 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48092. Topic: "Medication-Assisted Treatment: An Effective Way to Treat Addiction." Overdose deaths are on the rise across the United States, and more people struggle with addiction than ever before. Fortunately, there is a clinically effective method that can treat substance use disorders, help people sustain recovery, and prevent overdose: medication-assisted treatment (MAT). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), MAT is “the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a ‘whole-patient’ approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.” Primarily used to treat opioid addiction, MAT uses prescription medications (Suboxone, Sublocade, Vivitrol, etc.) to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of substances, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions—all without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance that was used recreationally. Join us for our January Macomb FAN Forum and hear an expert discuss medication-assisted treatment in-depth, including how to access it, its benefits, possible drawbacks, and why it’s becoming more and more popular. We’ll also hear from someone who has been able to find and maintain their recovery thanks to MAT. Attendees can indulge in free chili and a hot cocoa bar, so come hungry! Paradox Church is located on Mound Rd., between I-696 and 12 Mile Rd., on the west side of the street (next to Cort Furniture).
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COME EARLY AND LEARN HOW TO SAVE A LIFE!
Prior to the FAN Forum, at 5:45 pm, there will be a free naloxone training. The class includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 doses of nasal spray Narcan. To register for this 60-minute training session, go to THIS LINK.
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Tuesday, January 24th, at 7:00 pm: OAKLAND FAN IN-PERSON FORUM Location: Henry Ford Maplegrove Center, 6773 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48322. Topic: "Fentanyl: Current Trends in the Opiate Epidemic and What We're Doing About It." Join the Oakland County FAN chapter for their January FAN Forum as they welcome guest speaker Dave Molloy from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Molloy will discuss the impact that fentanyl has had as it's become commonplace across the country, and what's being done to try to combat the problem. You'll also hear from Justin J., Pablo F., Jake K., and Sammy S., all of whom are people in recovery. For information about this meeting, see THIS FLYER, or keep an eye on Oakland FAN's Facebook page at THIS LINK.
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Monday, February 6th, at 6:00 pm: NORTHWEST WAYNE FAN IN-PERSON / VIRTUAL FORUM (Free naloxone training prior to forum at 5:30 pm.) **NEW LOCATION**: Wayne Public Library, 3737 S. Wayne Rd., Wayne, MI 48184. Topic: "Pathways to Recovery." At this forum, people in recovery from substance use disorder will share how they found the impetus for serious recovery and their current regimen for maintaining sobriety. Multiple pathways to recovery will be discussed and explored. We will learn about the various approaches that one can take--individually or in combination--to find long-term freedom from addiction. Refreshments will be served. And if you can't attend in person, you can join via Zoom (details below). For more information, see THIS FLYER. NOTE: There will also be a free naloxone training prior to this forum at 5:30 pm. Registration is not required.
To Join Via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 402 899 9671
Password: 604110
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Monday, February 13th, 7:00 pm: WASHTENAW FAN VIRTUAL FORUM Topic: "DBT. Three Letters. Many Benefits: The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Approach to Recovery. For many individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), three letters can make all the difference in helping to set them up for long-term success: DBT. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, commonly known as DBT, is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy developed to treat people with multiple mental health conditions. For Washtenaw FAN's February Family Forum, they’ll explore how DBT may also be effective in treating those with SUD and other co-occurring disorders. To explain the DBT approach and its benefits, they'll welcome guest speakers Jill Polisano, CTRS; McKenzie Luker, CTRS; and Kristen O’Dwyer, LCSW--the co-owners of Wise Practice PLLC in Troy--as well as Wendy Besler, MD, a psychiatrist and the founder of Advanced Neuropsychiatric Specialists in Farmington Hills. These experts will discuss how DBT teaches skills that are empowering for individuals in recovery, as they can be used to regulate emotions and cope through distress in real time. Utilizing the modules of Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Distress Tolerance, people can learn how to be present in the moment and accept their emotions and actions as valid. You're invited to attend this forum virtually via Zoom or Facebook Live. For more information, see THIS FLYER. And to register and get Zoom details, go to THIS LINK.
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OTHER FAN EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & FUNDRAISERS |
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ANNOUNCING: THE HOPE HEROES EMPOWERMENT SERIES |
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Hope Heroes is a FAN group that offers support, community, education, and fun for people living sober lives. In addition to hosting recovery events throughout the year, Hope Heroes is now launching a new Empowerment Series, designed to help people in recovery learn important skills and enrich their lives. This is a monthly series and all sessions will be held at the FAN office in Clinton Township. Anybody who is in recovery is welcome! We care and want your recovery journey to be as successful—and fun—as possible! For more info, see THIS FLYER, or go to the Hope Heroes web page.
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PROFESSIONAL CHEFS' HOT FOOD COMPETITION IN FRANKENMUTH TO BENEFIT GLBR FAN CHAPTER! |
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On Monday, February 13th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth will be hosting the 31st Annual American Culinary Federation Flint/Saginaw Valley Chapter's Professional Chefs' Hot Food Competition and Tasting. This annual event is being revived after a 2-year hiatus and promises to be a fun and delicious experience. This year's theme is Love Is in the Air: A Culinary Tribute to Romance and up to 22 local chefs will be competing for cash and trophies in four categories: A Tour of Venice (Italian Cuisine); Barcelona Delicacies (Spanish Cuisine); Strolling Through Marseille (French Cuisine); and Sweet Endings (Pastry & Chocolate). And the best part of this event? Proceeds will benefit the Great Lakes Bay Region FAN chapter! What a great way to spend the night before Valentine's Day with someone special or your favorite foodie! Get your tickets early, because this tasty tournament is sure to sell out. For more information, visit the event website at THIS LINK. And to buy tickets, GO HERE.
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CHRIS HERREN SPEAKING IN ANN ARBOR ON MARCH 8th |
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Join us at Ann Arbor’s historic Michigan Theater on Wednesday, March 8th, at 7:00 pm, to hear the unforgettable story of a former NBA basketball player's journey to sobriety. In this very personal presentation, Chris Herren will share his recovery story--which has been the subject of a book and an ESPN "30 for 30" documentary--in a brutally honest format: with just a microphone. The event will start with a 5-minute film that introduces Chris, shows highlights of his basketball career, and documents his dream to play in the NBA, which began to unravel when he made a few bad decisions. From growing up in Massachusetts, to playing Division 1 basketball, then playing in NBA, Chris will take you on his journey from addiction to sobriety. Additionally, he will address the issues of gateway drugs, prescription drug use, vaping, and the responsibility of prevention, starting with us all. The event will conclude with a Q&A session. Make plans now to attend this inspiring presentation, as Chris shares his journey navigating the disease of addiction, the road to recovery, and his mission to reach just one person and make a difference. For more information on this FREE event, see THIS FLYER or go to the Washtenaw FAN web page.
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THE DATES ARE SET FOR FAN'S BIG 2023 FUNDRAISERS! |
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For more information, or to purchase sponsorships for these events, click on the links below.
Saturday, June 17th, at Fraser High School
Tuesday, October 17th, at Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township
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FAN JOB OPENINGS: ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR & REDIRECT CASE MANAGERS |
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Would you like to join a team that's making a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use disorder? Would you like a job that's truly rewarding? Then consider coming to work for FAN. We are currently seeking an Accounting Director and multiple Case Managers for our REDIRECT program. FAN truly is an amazing organization to work for! For more information on these full-time positions, as well as other jobs, visit the Job Opportunities page on our website at THIS LINK, or go straight to the FAN job postings page on Indeed.com.
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BE A VOLUNTEER FOR FAN
Families Against Narcotics would not exist without the help of the amazing volunteers who devote their time and effort to making our programs and events successful. And we have lots of volunteer opportunities available. Things like answering our Hope Line; facilitating Stronger Together family and friends support meetings; helping with our Hope Not Handcuffs program; assembling naloxone/comfort/safe-use kits; manning informational tables at events; and more. Everyone has skills that can help FAN do what it does! To find out more about how you can make a difference, or to sign up, go to THIS LINK.
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NOTE: Venues for in-person meetings may or may not require that you wear a face covering. We ask that you please respect the venue's mask policy when attending an in-person event. |
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FAN Can Always Use Your Financial Assistance.
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