By: Nick Powers | Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published June 28, 2024
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — FAN is still FAN, but the letters have a different meaning.
Families Against Narcotics has changed its name to Face Addiction Now. The switch reflects the nonprofit’s expanded services since it started in 2007.
FAN co-founder Linda Davis, a former 41B District Court judge, spoke about the rebranding at the ribbon-cutting for the nonprofit’s new offices on June 17.
“When we started, we were angry families who wanted to stop narcotics,” Davis said of the name change. “We’ve grown beyond that name. We work with hospitals, police departments, almost everybody in the community and we help everybody face addiction now.”
Davis helped found the nonprofit following a family member’s struggle with addiction. She said this story had a happy ending, but that many similar stories do not. Davis explained that FAN’s aim is to fill in the gaps of the system.
“Where is the system broken and where are we losing people?” she said. “We develop programs around that so nobody slips through the cracks.”
Davis also thanked The Monahan Company for providing FAN with its new offices. The office building is shared by Monahan and Tiny Feet Wellness.
“They are responsible for overhauling this entire building,” she said of Monahan. “It’s hard to find partners that actually want an addiction agency sharing their space. They welcomed us with open arms.”
Other speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included U.S. Rep. John James, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, Macomb County Commissioner James Perna, state Rep. Joe Aragona and Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon.
Davis said one thing summed up the year for the organization: receiving a National Institute of Health grant. The grant, which will allow for research on FAN’s programs, provides $1 million dollars each year for 12 years.
“It’s almost impossible for a local community to get a National Institute of Health grant,” she said.
New name reflects expanded services
Inside, the new office spaces were bustling with activity. FAN employees set up tables to provide information for the public about different services the nonprofit offers.
Since its inception, the organization has been focused on education. It provides educational materials to kids across Michigan in a way similar to the D.A.R.E. program, according to FAN Director of Community Education Maddie Tortomasi. It also provides education to police academies and hospitals.
The Run Drugs Out of Town 5K run/walk event also provides a way for families to connect and raise funds for the nonprofit. This year’s event was at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica on June 30. Ryan Reblin, regional director for FAN chapters, said a big part of it is breaking the stigma of addiction.
Free support groups for families impacted by addiction are available. According to Pam Blair, FAN Family Coaching Program coordinator, the 12-session program helps families with things like dynamics, communicating, setting healthy boundaries and the difference between helping and enabling. Blair said she wishes she had the program when her son struggled with addiction.
“I’m so thankful to give families the help I didn’t have,” Blair said.
FAN has offered therapy since August. Jenn Smalenberg, an outpatient therapist with FAN, explained that the nonprofit offers group and individual therapy. The 12-week program utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy. The services do not require health insurance. Smalenberg is the only therapist taking patients currently, but she said the organization hopes to get interns in the fall to make the service more available.
The nonprofit offers a host of other services, expanding on its initial mission. It now incorporates a list of harm reduction measures. Harm reduction can take a number of forms. For FAN, it means things like providing clean needles, fentanyl test kits, Narcan kits in public spaces, condoms and intervening to redirect nonviolent drug offenders from imprisonment.
“Some people are not ready for treatment yet,” Reblin said. “We want to make sure that they’re at least healthy in the meantime.”
One feature of the new space is an entrance specifically for FAN, allowing for privacy for those getting tested for HIV.
“They really thought that through when they were creating this space for us,” Reblin said.
Chelsea Geddes, who helps administer the testing, said the service meets people where they’re at and can also provide an opportunity to provide information beyond testing. She said the aim is to make people feel safe in a difficult situation.
“I want someone to feel as comfortable as they possibly can walking in here,” Geddes said.
For more information on FAN, visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org.