Anti-drug abuse program offers help at police stations

Katie Rosendale
·2 min read

IONIA, Mich. (WOOD) — With a new partnership in place, Ionia County residents can now seek treatment for substance abuse by simply walking into a local police station.

Hope Not Handcuffs is an initiative from Families Against Narcotics, a Michigan nonprofit that works to help people and families who are affected by substance abuse.

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The nonprofit on Thursday announced that the program is now up and running at the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office, as well as at two police departments in the county.

Now, Ionia County residents who are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse can walk into a participating agency — the sheriff’s office in Ionia, the police department in Belding or the police department in Portland — and ask for help. A trained FAN volunteer, known as an “angel,” will meet them, help them get treatment and connect them with peer support services.

“We don’t run any warrants on anyone (who asks for help) and also they are allowed to hand over anything that they may have on them without the fear of getting arrested,” Jestine Garcia, the regional coordinator of the Hope not Handcuffs program, said.

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Garcia delivered Narcan and care packages to the three new partner departments on Thursday.

Jestine Garcia, the regional coordinator of the Hope not Handcuffs program, delivers materials to the Belding Police Department on May 16, 2024.
Jestine Garcia, the regional coordinator of the Hope not Handcuffs program, delivers materials to the Belding Police Department on May 16, 2024.
Hope not Handcuffs aims to get people struggling with substance abuse to treatment programs with the aid of police. (May 16, 2024)
Hope not Handcuffs aims to get people struggling with substance abuse to treatment programs with the aid of police. (May 16, 2024)

Hope Not Handcuffs looks to increase access to treatment to help people fighting addiction, their families, and the community with the help of law enforcement. The organization also helps to train police agencies on addiction.

“They’ve taken the step, the initiative to be a part of this as a partnership and I think we need to recognize that this is the place to be and the first step, again, is to walk through those (police department) doors,” said Lisa Cloman, a FAN ‘angel.’

According to the nonprofit, 142 law enforcement agencies and community partners across the state have implemented Hope Not Handcuffs.

“In every community, there are people dealing with addiction. Ours is no different,” Ionia County Sheriff Charlie Noll said in a statement. “Partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs is another way that the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office is providing tools for those who want help and do not know where to look.”

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FAN is also looking for volunteers in Ionia County.

“Our volunteer Angels are such an integral part of the Hope Not Handcuffs initiative,” Hope Not Handcuffs Program Director Kim Baffo stated. “By volunteering as an Angel, people can assist fellow community members in finding recovery and getting a fresh start on life.”

If you’re interested, you can visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org to learn more.

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