Drug counseling program now available through Wayne police
The Wayne Police Department will soon offer the Hope Not Handcuffs program to those who struggle with a substance use disorder and want to find recovery.
Members of Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a nonprofit organization founded in 2007, are teaming up with the Wayne and Garden City police departments to offer the Hope Not Handcuffs” program, which has compassionately assisted nearly 5,400 people statewide since its launch in February of 2017,
Hope Not Handcuffs-which has more than 100 participating police departments statewide-brings law enforcement and community organizations together in an effort to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce their dependency on prescription medications, heroin, alcohol, and other drugs.
The program concept is simple: any person who is battling a substance use disorder can go to any participating police agency and ask for help. They will be greeted with support, compassion, and respect, and one of the Family Against Narcotics trained “Angels” will provide them with resources and guide them through a brief intake process to help them get the treatment they need and deserve.
Hope Not Handcuffs also provides trained and certified Peer Recovery Coaches for the individuals who participate in the program, as well as Family Recovery Coaches for family members or loved ones, according to a spokesman. The goal is to help everyone who's been affected by the disease of addiction find recovery.
“I am excited about the Wayne Police Department's partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs,” Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong said.
“Thanks to the dedicated volunteers at Hope Not Handcuffs, we will soon be able to get desperately needed help for those members of our community who are facing addiction. Unfortunately, many people struggling with addiction end up in the criminal justice system when they really just need treatment,” Strong continued. “Hope Not Handcuffs provides a great mechanism for people to get access to treatment 24/7/365.”
Meanwhile, Garden City Police Chief Tim Gibbons added, “Garden City PD is excited to be partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs to offer help and hope to those seeking to recover from addiction. The easier we make it for those seeking to overcome an addiction, the better. Better for the person seeking to recover, better for families, and better for our communities.”
The Garden City and Wayne police departments will not only provide access to Hope Not Handcuffs for residents of those two cities, but also for people in Canton, Plymouth, Westland and Northville. Inkster police have also implemented the program through a partnership with GrowthWorks.
