News & Events for the Week of 10/18/21
NOTE: Due to its length, this newsletter might be cut short by your email program. If so, please click on the "View Entire Message" or similarly worded link at the bottom of this email.
FAN Friends & Family...
How can we be more than halfway through October already? Before you know it, we'll be talking about the holidays! (Actually, we do talk a bit about the holidays at the very end of this newsletter, so be prepared for that.)
We have some great events coming up this week, including an informational FAN Macomb Forum (on Tuesday) for anyone who's interested in the benefits of Peer Recovery Coaching; and a tri-county Opioid Town Hall (on Thursday) that features a couple of great speakers (including our own Linda Davis). Be sure to scroll down to find out about those meetings and all the other FAN happenings for the week.
How Can Business Leaders Help Normalize Addiction & Recovery?

We want to share with you a piece written by a Forbes magazine Business Council Member named Kelsey Moreira. It addresses substance use disorder among the workforce and offers up five simple ways that businesses can help normalize addiction and recovery and create a recovery-friendly workplace. The sober CEO of Doughp, a company that makes edible, raw, "legit" cookie dough, Moreira made a splash on Shark Tank, is a successful businessperson, and now hopes to inspire others. "I believe too many workers struggle silently, and employers often don't realize there is an alternative to firing an employee who may be in need of help," Moreira writes. Her company's mental health policy lets employees know that they can bring their full selves to work and they'll be supported no matter what their struggles are, including addiction recovery. Her five suggestions for other businesses may be simple, but they could really go a long way toward helping reduce the stigma of addiction. You can read her article, entitled "Addiction in the Workplace: How Leaders Can Help Create a Path to Recovery," at THIS LINK. If you're a business owner or leader, consider implementing some or all of Kelsey Moreira's ideas.
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.
THIS WEEK'S FAN EVENTS
Monday, October 18th
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
Tuesday, October 19th
5:45 pm: IN-PERSON NALOXONE TRAINING (open to all Michigan residentsLocation: Paradox Church, 28241 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48092. This 1-hour in-person class takes place prior to the monthly Macomb FAN Forum (see below). You'll learn how to properly administer the opioid overdose reversing drug naloxone and go home ready to save a life with your free naloxone kit (which includes 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan). Come for the naloxone training and stay for the FAN Forum! Note: Pre-registration is required for this class. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
7:00 pm: MACOMB FAN IN-PERSON FORUM Location: Paradox Church, 28241 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48092Topic: "Peer Recovery Coaching: A GPS on the Road to Recovery." We invite you to join us in person for our October Macomb FAN Forum. This month's forum will feature a panel of three Peer Recovery Coaches (PRCs) from our Navigate Peer & Family Coaching program. Rodney W., Robert J., and Tracy G.--who have more than 60 years of sobriety between them--will tell their personal stories, talk about why peer coaching can be such an important part of someone's recovery, share success stories, and answer your questions. Recovery isn't easy, but nobody has to do it alone! Peer coaching is a valuable service that FAN offers free of charge! Find out more about this valuable resource at this interactive forum. No pre-registration is required and all are welcome. If you have loved ones who are struggling with addiction, please bring them along!
Wednesday, October 20th
6:00 pm: IN-PERSON NALOXONE TRAINING (open to all Michigan residentsLocation: FAN Office, 18900 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48035. Take this 1-hour class and receive a free naloxone kit--with 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan--upon completion. Naloxone is easily administered and can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose by reversing the effects of the opioid. Get trained and become a potential lifesaver! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
6:30 pm: VIRTUAL HOPE NOT HANDCUFFS ANGEL TRAINING We need Angels in the Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR)! Become a volunteer Angel for Hope Not Handcuffs and help people who are struggling with substance use disorder get started on the road to recovery. This training is for new Angels in the GLBR and previously trained Angels in that area who still need to learn the new iPad intake process (or just want to refresh their training). You can make a difference in someone's life! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
Thursday, October 21st
10:00 am: VIRTUAL NALOXONE TRAINING (for Michigan residents who live, work, or go to school in Macomb County) Got naloxone? This training includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan, mailed directly to your home. Naloxone saves lives by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Everyone should carry it so they are prepared to save a life! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION (Note: If you are outside of Macomb County, click HERE for more upcoming naloxone training sessions.)
6:00 pm: MACOMB FAN IN-PERSON STRONGER TOGETHER FAMILY & FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Location: FAN Office, 18900 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48035. This group meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at the Families Against Narcotics office. The in-person format of this meeting allows people to connect face-to-face, which can be very helpful. Remember, your loved one may be struggling with a substance use disorder, but you have to work on your own recovery. YOU are the only person you can control and YOUR life matters, too! No pre-registration is required.
6:30 pm: FAN PRESENTS "SURVIVING YOUR LOVED ONE'S ADDICTION: AN ONLINE FAMILY RECOVERY SEMINAR"
This special virtual seminar introduces people to FAN's Stronger Together family recovery plan and is taking place every Thursday evening through November 18th. Join Jacalyn Sanders, creator of the Stronger Together program, as she thoughtfully explains how to support your addicted loved one in a way that is healthy for both of you. This week, she'll be discussing Step 6 of the family recovery plan: Peace. "I acknowledge the negative impact my loved one is having on my family and take necessary steps to restore peace to my home." Your family can be torn apart by your loved one's addiction. Sadly, there may come a time when you must ask them to leave your home. Learn how to do that with love and in a way that points them to recovery. Check out this seminar and find out how Stronger Together can help improve your life. No pre-registration is required! Zoom meeting information is included below.

Meeting ID: 823 1093 1872
Passcode: 867978

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799
Passcode: 867978
7:00 pm: "93,000 LIVES LOST TO OVERDOSE: WHAT NOW?" AN OPIOID TOWN HALL Location: Huntington Woods Public Library, 26415 Scotia Rd., Huntington Woods, MI 48070. The Tri County Anti Drug Abuse Alliance (TADAA) presents this special in-person town hall for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. Guest speakers will include FAN Executive Director Judge Linda Davis and Rony Foumia, the Area Director for Ascension Continuity of Care in the state of Michigan. Learn about the impact the COVID pandemic has had on substance use and overdose in Michigan and find out what resources and tools are available to help our communities move forward. Free Narcan will be available. Capacity is limited, so you are urged to register early. Masks are required by the venue. You can register at THIS LINK. For more information, see THIS FLYER.
Friday, October 22nd
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
Saturday, October 23rd
NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY Locations/Times: Various. Saturday, October 23rd is another DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is an opportunity for you to safely dispose of medications that are no longer needed or expired. By cleaning out your medicine cabinets and taking these drugs to a designated drop-off site, you will eliminate the possibility of prescription medications falling into the wrong hands. To find a collection site location (and collection times) near you, use the Collection Site Locator tool on the DEA's website HERE. (Note: Sharps, liquids, and inhalers are not accepted at most sites.) Fun Fact: 839,543 pounds--or 420 tons--of prescription drugs were collected at 5,060 sites nationwide on the last Drug Take Back Day, in April of this year!
10:00 am: VIRTUAL NALOXONE TRAINING (for Michigan residents who live, work, or go to school in Macomb County) Take this 1-hour class via Zoom and get a free naloxone kit--with 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan--mailed directly to your home. Naloxone is a "miracle drug" that can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Get trained and be prepared! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION (Note: If you are outside of Macomb County, click HERE for more upcoming naloxone training sessions.)
10:00 am: VIRTUAL HOPE NOT HANDCUFFS ANGEL TRAINING We need Angels in the Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR)! Become a volunteer Angel for Hope Not Handcuffs and help people who are struggling with substance use disorder get started on the road to recovery. This training is for new Angels in the GLBR and previously trained Angels in that area who still need to learn the new iPad intake process (or just want to refresh their training). You can make a difference in someone's life! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
FUTURE EVENTS, FORUMS & MORE
UPCOMING FAN FORUMS
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.
Monday, November 1st, 6:30 pm: NORTHWEST WAYNE FAN IN-PERSON FORUM
Location: Summit on the Park, 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton, MI 48188Topic: "The Role of Trauma in Addiction and Treatment." Research has demonstrated that addiction and mental health disorders are often responses to trauma. What is trauma? And how does it impact substance use disorder? At this Northwest Wayne FAN Forum, Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers founder Rae Green and clinical therapist Jenny Selent will explain the role that trauma plays in substance use disorders, the incorporation of "trauma-informed care" into addiction treatment, and how trauma awareness can strengthen recovery. All are welcome to attend this educational session! For more information, see THIS FLYER.
Monday, November 8th, 7:00 pm: WASHTENAW FAN VIRTUAL FORUM Topic: "More Than Words: The Power in Sharing Your Recovery Story." Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human, but did you know it can also be a powerful source of encouragement, solace and support for those in recovery? For this forum, you're invited to share your recovery story and listen as others tell theirs. The event will feature guest speaker Dr. Chantelle Thomas, clinical psychologist and Executive Clinical Director of The Manor by Windrose Recovery, a residential treatment facility in Wisconsin. Why does sharing your story matter? Due to the stigma surrounding SUDs, you and your family may be hesitant to speak up about your experiences. However, the communal act of storytelling can help shatter the culture of silence, fear, and shame around the disease of addiction. Dr. Thomas will explain the benefits of sharing recovery stories, including gaining a deeper understanding of other people's emotions, fears, and hopes--and how they relate to your own. More than words, these stories serve as a powerful reminder that you are not alone. While all participants are encouraged to share their stories, the decision to do so is yours. Thanks to the virtual format via Zoom, you can choose to speak or to simply listen, to join the meeting with your video turned on or off, and/or to add your comments in the chat feature. You can find more information about this meeting in this THIS FLYER, or register in advance (required) for the forum HERE.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR FAN? IF SO, WE NEED YOU!
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. They include things like answering our Hope Line, helping with our Hope Not Handcuffs program, assembling naloxone kits, assisting with our fundraisers, doing data entry, 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.
PLEASE CONSIDER PROVIDING SUNDAY DINNER FOR KYLE'S HOUSE SOBER LIVING HOME
Kyle's House, a sober living home in Fraser, was started by one of the founding members of FAN. Since 2011, FAN has been facilitating volunteer-cooked (or purchased) Sunday meals for the home's residents. If you'd be interested in providing a Sunday dinner for 15-18 men in recovery, we (and especially they) would love it. And you don't have to be a gourmet chef, either. Just cook from your heart like you would for your own family! Meals can be delivered between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on the Sunday that you choose. For more information, or to sign up to bring a little bit of home cooking to the courageous men at Kyle's House, go to the "Meals at Kyle's House" page on our website.
AN EASY WAY TO RAISE $$ FOR FAN!
Did you know that you can help FAN make a difference this holiday season--or ANYTIME you shop on Amazon.com, year-round? If you're not already supporting us through the Amazon Smile program, all you have to do is go to THIS LINK, choose to have Amazon make a donation to FAN with every purchase you make, and shop away! It's a simple way to raise money for FAN and doesn't cost you or us anything! Help us help others, just by shopping at Amazon.com!
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..
FAN Can Always Use Your Financial Assistance.
Stay Connected With Us
Families Against Narcotics | 586-438-8500| Email | Website