Gratiot County is an enjoyable place to live, but, like the rest of our country, suffers from a drug and alcohol use epidemic. This epidemic has a devastating impact on individuals and their families. While many people enjoy the rural nature of Gratiot County, the area has more limited resources, services, and funding available than larger metropolitan areas. The reduction of in-person services during COVID exacerbated this shortage. Support for families who have loved ones suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) is nearly nonexistent. The stigma of SUD in a small, close-knit community makes it even more difficult for individuals and families to reach out for help.

The goal of the Gratiot FAN chapter is to help individuals and families struggling with SUD realize that they are not alone, and to provide help, save lives, and reduce the stigma associated with SUD.

The receptiveness of local law enforcement and judicial, mental health, and business professionals to helping our community from within, and the speed with which the program has developed since the first discussions, has been remarkable. In the spring of 2023, Alan Gatlin had recently retired from Alma College and was looking for a way to give back to the community he has lived in for more than 20 years. Alan began discussions with Chief Overla from the Alma Police Department, Kalin Greene, who is the Director of Problem-Solving Courts, and Prosecutor Laura Bever. All of them responded quickly and enthusiastically, as they had witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of addiction. They recognized how difficult it is to find help and the stigma associated with addiction that sometimes stands in the way of individuals and families seeking the help they need.

At this point, the working group expanded to include Judge Barkman, Undersheriff Sopocy (now Gratiot County Commissioner Sopocy), and other members of the law enforcement, mental health, and business communities. The initial working group was converted to an 11-member board of directors, and an advisory group of over a dozen individuals volunteered and joined the effort as well. In November of 2023, Gratiot County launched Hope Not Handcuffs and, in the spring of 2024, will begin sponsoring monthly Family Forums.

The group has received help and inspiration from FAN and Hope Not Handcuffs directors, as well as Phil Pavona from Ingham County-Okemos FAN.