At Families Against Narcotics, a big part of what we do is helping individuals and families who have already been affected by addiction. But we are also about prevention. Whether it's presenting to high school students, educating medical school students, or just informing the general public, we always want to provide information that can potentially stop people from becoming addicted in the first place.

In that vein, we want to share with you a very interesting research study that will be appearing in the June issue of Preventitive Medicine Reports. Entitled "Effects of Depression, Anxiety, and Screen Use on Adolescent Substance Use," this is believed to be the first study that "examines relations between substance use, mental health, and screen time simultaneously." The study tells us that "routine screening for depression, other mental health concerns, screen time, and substance use is critical in supporting adolescent health and development." It also concludes that "increased screen time is associated with increased substance use," and advises that "promoting healthy screen habits may...have an impact on substance use risk, particularly in those who have yet to develop mental health problems."

If you're a parent, we suggest you check out the article, which can be found at THIS LINK. (You can also download the article in PDF format from that site.) Yes, there is some scientific and academic jargon you have to deal with--after all, it is a research study. But the information is super interesting. And remember: Knowledge is power!

We also want to remind you that this Saturday, April 24th, is DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This is your chance to safely get rid of prescription medications that are expired or no longer needed. The Macomb Partnership for Overdose Prevention and their partners at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sterling Heights are hosting a drug take back event at the church from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday. FAN will be on hand, too! For more information on this event, see THIS FLYER. You can also find a take back location near you by using the Collection Site Locator at THIS LINK.

Have a great week!

(For an overview of all the programs FAN offers, click HERE.)

7:00 pm: BLUE WATER FAN IN-PERSON STRONGER TOGETHER FAMILY & FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING For family/friends who have a loved one struggling with substance use disorder. This in-person meeting will be held at the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1404 Garfield St., Port Huron. Masks are required to attend.

4:00 pm: VIRTUAL NALOXONE TRAINING (for Michigan residents who live, work, or go to school in Macomb County) Presented in partnership with Henry Ford Health System, this training includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan, mailed directly to your home. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION (Note: If you are outside of Macomb County, click HERE for upcoming naloxone training sessions.)

7:00 pm: MACOMB FAN IN-PERSON FORUM Location: Paradox Church, 28241 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48092. Topic: "MSU Collegiate Recovery Community: Making a Difference on Campus." Michigan State University’s Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) serves students who are in or seeking recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. Their mission is to provide a safe and supportive campus community in which students in recovery can thrive in the fullness of the college experience and achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals, free from alcohol and other drugs. Join the Macomb County FAN chapter for their April FAN Forum at Paradox Church in Warren and learn more about this innovative, successful program.

Our guest speakers will be two women associated with the MSU CRC: Dawn Kepler, the program’s Coordinator, and Ravyn Rooney, an MSU student and Live-in Recovery Housing Support Specialist for the CRC. Dawn earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from MSU and has been in recovery for more than 20 years, while Ravyn is a Clinical Master of Social Work graduate student enrolled in the health care certificate program at MSU. Come see us in person on April 20th! NOTE: COVID protocols will be in place as noted below.

7:00 pm: NORTHWEST WAYNE FAN GRIEF SUPPORT Offering help, healing, and support for those who have lost loved ones to addiction. You are not alone. This in-person meeting takes place at the PC Alano Club, 8669 N. Lilley Rd., Canton, MI 48107 (in the plaza at the corner of Lilley and Old Lilley Rd.). Masks are required to attend. For more information, see THIS FLYER.

7:00 pm: KALKASKA AREA VIRTUAL STRONGER TOGETHER FAMILY & FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING This is a Stronger Together group that meets under the Grand Traverse FAN umbrella. Like the other ST groups, this meeting is for family/friends who have a loved one struggling with substance use disorder. To get Zoom meeting information, please send the group an EMAIL.

5:30 pm: WASHTENAW FAN PRESENTS VIRTUAL YOGA FOR RECOVERY Presented in partnership with A2 Yoga, these free virtual yoga classes for individuals who are in or seeking recovery, as well as their family members. Yoga and mindfulness can help decrease stress, cravings, and impulsivity. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

6:30 pm: WASHTENAW FAN PRESENTS VIRTUAL EXERCISE FOR RECOVERY Offered in conjunction with Pursuit of Progress Training Club, these free full-body exercise classes help enhance mental, spiritual, and physical fitness. For individuals who are in or seeking recovery, as well as their family members. (All fitness levels welcome!) MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

4:00 pm: VIRTUAL NALOXONE TRAINING (for Michigan residents who live, work, or go to school in Macomb County) This training includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 nasal spray doses of Narcan, mailed directly to your home. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION (Note: If you are outside of Macomb County, click HERE for upcoming naloxone training sessions.)

6:30 pm: OTSEGO COUNTY FAN VIRTUAL FORUM Topic: "Hope Not Handcuffs." Join the Otsego County chapter via Zoom for a presentation about FAN's Hope Not Handcuffs program. Their guest speaker will be David Clayton, FAN Central's Outreach Coordinator. Learn what Hope Not Handcuffs is, how it works, and why it's important to the communities it's operational in. (Hope Not Handcuffs will be coming to the Otsego area soon!) As a person in long-term recovery, David will also share his compelling story of recovery. For more details and Zoom information, see THIS FLYER.

7:00 pm: VIRTUAL NALOXONE TRAINING (open to all Michigan residents) This 1-hour class 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. Be prepared! MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

7:30 pm: WASHTENAW FAN PRESENTS VIRTUAL YOGA FOR RECOVERY Presented in partnership with A2 Yoga, these free virtual yoga classes for individuals who are in or seeking recovery, as well as their family members. Yoga and mindfulness can help decrease stress, cravings, and impulsivity. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

11:00 am: VIRTUAL HOPE NOT HANDCUFFS ANGEL TRAINING Become a volunteer Angel and help people who are struggling with substance use disorder get on the road to recovery. This training is for new Angels and previously trained Angels who still need to learn the new iPad intake process (or just want to refresh their training). MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

11:00 am: WASHTENAW FAN PRESENTS VIRTUAL EXERCISE FOR RECOVERY Offered in conjunction with Pursuit of Progress Training Club, these free full-body exercise classes help enhance mental, spiritual, and physical fitness. For individuals who are in or seeking recovery, as well as their family members. (All fitness levels welcome!) MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Topic: "Legal Options for Individuals and Families Dealing with Addiction." What legal options are available to family members dealing with an addicted loved one? How have laws changed to benefit individuals seeking treatment or in early recovery? These topics will be explored at Northwest Wayne FAN's May forum. There will also be a complete explanation of the recent changes in the laws governing expungement of criminal records in Michigan. The guest panelists will be three distinguished legal experts, each of whom has served as a state court judge and remains a leader in the law: State Court Administrator Emeritus Milton Mack; Honorable Laura Mack; and Jodi Switalski, owner and lead attorney of Switalski Law & Consulting. You will also hear from Jaime White, Director of Clinical Development & Crisis Services for Hegira Health, regarding innovative co-response partnerships with several Northwest Wayne County communities. For more information, including Zoom meeting detials, see THIS FLYER, or visit the event page on Facebook.

Topic: "The Self-Expression Experience: Methods for Healing and Bonding in Recovery." Addiction is a chronic state of isolation, disconnection, and suppression--like living in the darkness. Washtenaw FAN's May Family Forum will focus on "turning the lights back on" through experiences of self-expression. This visual interactive forum--including discussion, writing prompts, and a workbook--will feature TEDx speaker and addiction recovery advocate Dylan Lundgren. In recovery since 2004, Dylan is an inspirational speaker, gifted facilitator, and spoken word artist. He will share how expression is the road on which we reconnect to ourselves and the world. You can find more information about this meeting in THIS FLYER, or register in advance (required) for the forum HERE.

A FAN FUNDRAISER FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! What's this?!? A Families Against Narcotics fundraiser that doesn't involve Zoom or Facebook Live, and doesn't require you to log in to anything in order to participate?!? An actual in-person, outdoor event that will be fun for the whole family?!? Great Scott!!! We're in!

Join us on Thursday, May 13th, at the Drive-In at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights, as we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane by showing the 1985 classic sci-fi/adventure movie Back to the Future! This blockbuster drive-in movie event will benefit Families Against Narcotics and help fund all of our programs that assist individuals and families affected by addiction.

We hope you will join us on Thursday, May 20th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the beautiful Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, for our Women Honoring Women Gala. This is a celebration of women who have overcome diverse challenges, been affected by substance use disorder, or have made a difference in their community by fighting against addiction.

This virtual Recovery Community Listening Session, hosted by the Michigan Recovery Advocacy Project, will be a guided conversation with people in recovery from all pathways, family members, supporters, and allies of recovery. Your voice is important and needed. The aim of the conversation is to identify advocacy priorities and common barriers and experiences in order to identify content for trainings, educational sessions, and campaigns to address those common issues. All are welcome, so please tell your family and friends by registering and using the tools provided to share this important event! Zoom information will be provided once you complete the RSVP (closed Captioning on Zoom will be available if needed). For more information or to register, go to THIS LINK.

Families Against Narcotics is partnering with the 2021 Purpose Summit, which is happening in Mt. Clemens (and virtually) from May 11th to May 13th. This is the largest gathering of purpose-driven thought leaders, business leaders, and community leaders in a combined global three-day virtual and in-person experience. The lineup of speakers for Purpose Summit 2021 includes some of the most inspirational authors, executives, founders, and leaders from a variety of industries. FAN's partnership means that if you register for the summit using the code FAMILIES, FAN will receive 50% of the registration fees. For more information on the Purpose Summit, see THIS FLYER or visit the event website.

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, even during COVID. They include things like answering our Hope Line, helping with our Hope Not Handcuffs program, doing data entry, and more. Everyone has skills that can help FAN do what it does! To find out more about volunteering, or to sign up, go to THIS LINK.

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.

FAN Can Always Use Your Financial Assistance.