FANmail for the Week of 4/22/24 | |
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to its length, this newsletter may be cut short by your email program. If so, please click on the "View Entire Message" (or similarly worded) link that appears at the bottom of this email. | |
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FAN Friends & Family...
We want to remind you that you can follow FAN on social media to keep up to date on what we've been doing, upcoming events, information and education on addiction- and recovery-related topics, and more. It's a great way to stay informed, plus you can share important information with your friends and followers!
Below are the links to FAN's social media accounts. We'd love to have you follow us!
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FAN Educates Healthy Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods Coalition | |
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This past Wednesday, FAN Community Education Director Madie Tortomasi presented to the Healthy Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods Coalition at their monthly meeting at the Neighborhood Club in the City of Grosse Pointe. Madie's presentation was entitled "The Importance of Prevention," and explained how substance use prevention programming plays a crucial role in reducing the likelihood of adolescents and young adults developing substance use disorder. Madie also offered advice on community prevention and discussed FAN prevention education programs that can be implemented into schools. By engaging and educating communities about the risks associated with substance use, and promoting healthy behaviors, these programs empower individuals to make informed choices and resist peer pressure. To arrange an educational presentation for your school, organization, or community group, visit the Presentations page on our website.
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FAN Continues to Make Narcan More Accessible to the Public | |
Last week, FAN's Rescue Overdose Response and Education program placed two more RescueBox Narcan dispensers at Corewell Health locations: one at the Livonia outpatient campus and one at the hospital in Farmington Hills. Our goal is to make free Narcan as accessible as possible for everyone! For more information, visit our Rescue program web page. | | |
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Corewell Health Farmington Hills. | |
ADDICTION & RECOVERY IN THE NEWS | |
Please be advised that these stories may include photos or descriptions of addiction, using drugs, overdoses, or other things that could be a trigger for some people. | |
New Documentary Tells Story of Fentanyl Poisoning Death of Local Teen | |
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James McCarthy, the son of Detroit radio legend J.P. McCarthy, lost his 19-year-old son Jack to an accidental fentanyl overdose in September of 2021. Jack died after taking a counterfeit, fentanyl-laced Xanax pill he had purchased from someone on Snapchat. Now, Texas Pictures has made a documentary about Jack's death. The film features an emotional James McCarthy--who spoke at the Macomb FAN Forum in October of last year--talking about his son's death, the effect it's had on him and his family, and why he and some other grieving dads founded the nonprofit Fentanyl Fathers. On Facebook, James said this about the documentary: "While it wasn't easy to tell the story, I'm very happy I did. May it bring inspiration and education to kids, parents, and anyone else thinking of taking a pill that wasn't from the pharmacy." You can watch Fentanyl Kills: The Jack McCarthy Story on YouTube at THIS LINK.
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Study Shows ER Access to Peer Recovery Coaches Makes a Difference in Nonfatal Overdose Cases | |
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A new Rutgers Health study, published in JAMA Network Open online, reveals that "people with a nonfatal opioid overdose who have access to a peer support program while in the emergency department are more likely to initiate treatment and less likely to have repeated overdoses." A Medical Xpress article says the study compared the 6-month outcomes of people treated in hospitals that offered peer support vs. those treated in hospitals that did not offer peer support. To read more about the research and how peer recovery specialists are making a difference, go HERE. (And just a reminder: FAN offers free peer or family recovery coaches to anybody who wants one. To request a coach, go to our Navigate Peer & Family Recovery Coaching Services web page.)
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Can Methadone Vans Deliver the Goods? | |
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For years, the accessibility of methadone--a drug used to treat opioid use disorder--has been a huge issue. People wanting to participate in a methadone program could only receive the medication at specified clinics, which oftentimes were many miles away. But in 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lifted a 14-year ban on Mobile Medication Units (MMUs), which strive to make access to methadone easier. A story on the Filter website explores an MMU that's operated by VIP Community Services in the Bronx, with funding from the state of New York. "We know methadone improves people's lives," a New York state official says. "It's about equity and serving those people who wouldn't ordinarily, necessarily receive this service." Find out more about how these mobile units can help save lives--and why the cost to operate them is so high (hint: security is expensive)--at THIS LINK.
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German Drug-Checking App Alerts Users to Potentially Lethal Pills | |
 |  | The first state-sponsored drug-checking service in Berlin, which launched in June of last year, is now collaborating with an app that "informs users about the latest drug-checking results in Germany and beyond." The creator of the KnowDrugs app, Philipp Kreicarek, says, "I guess what we have learned is that withholding information about drugs is actually causing harm, because people will take drugs nevertheless....I think knowledge about psychoactive substances allows people to make informed decisions and follow safer use practices which will help reduce harm." If drug samples submitted to the Drug-Checking Berlin service test positive for harmful substances, the KnowDrugs app is notified and a push notification is sent out to the app's users. According to a DW story, "a total of 1,092 samples were analyzed in 2023, of which 494 (45.2%) were found to contain dangerously high concentrations of psychoactive agents, were contaminated with toxic substances, or were falsely declared." Learn more about this innovative high-tech partnership HERE.
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ONGOING FAN TRAINING SESSIONS & SUPPORT PROGRAMS | |
FAN's naloxone training and Hope Not Handcuffs Angel training sessions take place on an ongoing basis, as do our Stronger Together family and friends support group meetings and Yoga for Recovery classes. You'll find more about all of these programs, including links to schedules, below. | |
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Be prepared to save a life. FAN's free naloxone training will teach you how to properly administer this safe drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. These 1-hour sessions are offered both in-person and virtually, and all attendees will receive a FREE naloxone kit containing 2 doses of NARCAN® nasal spray. For more information and registration, go to the link below.
Click for Upcoming Naloxone Training Sessions
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Our Hope Not Handcuffs program needs volunteers now more than ever to help us make a difference! Take our free training (in-person or virtual), become an Angel, and help people who are struggling with substance use disorder get started on the road to recovery. You can make a huge difference in someone's life! Being an Angel has never been easier, the hours are flexible, and the work is incredibly rewarding, so please consider volunteering! To find out more, or to register for a class, go to the link below.
Click for Upcoming Angel Training Sessions
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Held both in-person and virtually, FAN's Stronger Together family and friends support group meetings will help you learn to support your loved one who is struggling with addiction in a way that is healthy for both of you. You’ll benefit from the encouragement and experience of other families and individuals facing similar circumstances, and be able to move from a life of chaos and despair to a life of joy and purpose. For a complete listing of meetings--including those designed for specific groups of people (grandparents, young adults, etc.)--go to the link below.
Click for Upcoming Stronger Together Meetings
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Would you like to help us help others? If so, please feel free to click here to make a donation--large or small--to FAN. We can always use your assistance! And for an overview of all the programs FAN offers, click HERE. (Families Against Narcotics is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, #26-2302028.) | |
FAN Forums are open to the entire community as a resource for navigating substance use disorder, and are truly a place to learn, listen, grow, and share. Watch this space for upcoming forums! | |
 | | Monday, May 6th, at 6:00 pm: NORTHWEST WAYNE FAN IN-PERSON / VIRTUAL FORUM (Free naloxone training prior to forum at 5:30 pm.) Location: Hype Recreation Center of Western Wayne, 4635 Howe Rd., Wayne, MI 48184. Topic: "Medication-Assisted Treatment: Is It Effective? What's New?" At this forum, you will hear experts discuss various types of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder (SUD), including how to access it, its benefits, possible drawbacks, and why it is becoming more popular. You will also hear about an innovative program launched in the emergency department at Beaumont Hospital (Corewell Health) that utilizes medications for opioid use disorder. Finally, you'll hear from people in recovery from SUD who successfully used MAT to achieve and maintain their recovery. Come learn and grow with Northwest Wayne FAN! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, see THIS FLYER. Note: If you can't attend in person, you can watch this forum live via the Northwest Wayne FAN Facebook page.
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COME EARLY AND LEARN HOW TO SAVE A LIFE!
Prior to the FAN Forum, at 5:30 pm, there will be a free naloxone training. The class includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 doses of NARCAN® nasal spray. To register for this training session, go to THIS LINK.
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| |  | Tuesday, May 21st, at 7:00 pm: MACOMB FAN IN-PERSON FORUM (Free naloxone training prior to forum at 5:45 pm.) NEW LOCATION: St. Michael's Catholic Church, 40501 Hayes Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313. Topic: "Music as a Pathway to Recovery." The May Macomb FAN Forum will focus on music and the key role it can play in recovery. Join us as professional musician, peer recovery coach, and FAN advocate Chris Tait talks about how music helps to shape our experiences, as well as the benefits of music as a supplement to any pathway of recovery. He'll even entertain us with a few tunes! Chris has been with the Detroit band Electric Six as a composer and performer for more than two decades, and was a freelance curator for Apple Music before moving back to Detroit to start Passenger Recovery--a Recovery Community Organization in Hamtramck that uses music and the arts as tools for recovery. We hope you can make it out to this insightful and educational FAN Forum. All are welcome, so bring your family and friends! Food will be provided compliments of Skywood Recovery.
REMINDER: Our monthly Macomb FAN Forums are now taking place at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sterling Heights! Location information HERE.
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COME EARLY AND LEARN HOW TO SAVE A LIFE!
Prior to the FAN Forum, at 5:45 pm, there will be a free naloxone training. The class includes a free naloxone kit, with 2 doses of NARCAN® nasal spray. To register for this training session, go to THIS LINK.
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OTHER FAN EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & FUNDRAISERS | |
NATIONAL RX DRUG TAKE BACK DAY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH | |
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Help prevent medication misuse! Saturday, April 27th, is another Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is an opportunity for you to safely dispose of medications that are no longer needed or expired. By cleaning out your medicine cabinets and taking these drugs to a designated drop-off site, you will eliminate the possibility of RX medications falling into the wrong hands. We invite you to join the Sterling Heights Drug Free Coalition's participation in this event. They'll be at the Sterling Heights Senior Center, located at 40200 Utica Rd. in Sterling Heights, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on April 27th (download a flyer HERE). You can also find a collection site near you by visiting the DEA's Collection Site Locator tool at THIS LINK.
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RUN DRUGS OUT OF TOWN IS JUNE 30TH! HAVE *YOU* REGISTERED YET? | |
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We are incredibly excited that FAN's 16th annual Run Drugs Out of Town (RDOT) 5K Run/Walk will be taking place on Sunday, June 30th, at Jimmy John's Field, located at 7171 Auburn Road in Utica! The opening ceremonies and start of the race will happen inside the stadium, then the runners and walkers will head out to a 5K course that will go through the beautifully wooded and scenic bike/hike trail off Auburn Road and into River's Bend Park. The run/walk will then finish back at home plate. (You can download the course map HERE.)
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RDOT is a beloved community event and one of the largest runs in Macomb County. Each year, men, women, and children of all ages come out to support a common cause: to increase awareness of substance use disorder and help raise money to fund the many programs FAN provides to the public at no cost. This fun, family-friendly event not only offers a 5K run and non-competitive walk, but also features vendors, music, teams honoring loved ones, and a heart-warming opening ceremony. Whether you run or walk as an individual or a team, sponsor the event, or simply make a donation, you will be helping FAN make a positive impact on those who have been affected by the disease of addiction. Be a force for change. Be part of the solution. Join FAN at Run Drugs Out of Town! For more information, registration, or sponsorships, go to THIS LINK. You can also download an event flyer/poster HERE.
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JACK OF SPADES RAFFLE AT FREDDY'S BAR & GRILL HELPS RAISE MONEY FOR FAN! | |
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Freddy's Bar & Grill in Clinton Township has been a longtime supporter of FAN and we're thrilled that they asked us to partner with them for the latest run of their Jack of Spades Raffle. Every Tuesday, beginning at 6:00 pm, you can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes. And the best part? Part of the proceeds from ticket sales go to benefit FAN! The drawing happens at 8:00 pm. Pull the jack of spades and win the jackpot! Pull a joker and win $100! There's also a bonus drawing every Tuesday for a $100 Freddy's gift card! So, head on over to Freddy's on Tuesdays for great food and drink, live music, and the Jack of Spades Raffle! Freddy's is located at 40000 Garfield Road in Clinton Township. Visit their website or check them out on Facebook.
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BE A PART OF THE FAN TEAM! | |
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Families Against Narcotics is hiring! We currently have openings for a full-time Peer Recovery Coach to service Washtenaw County and a full-time Program Coordinator for our Rescue Overdose Response and Education program. Both of these jobs include benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; matching 401(k); and more. For more information on these positions, including specific duties and how to apply, please visit the Jobs page on our website.
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VOLUNTEER FOR FAN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! | |
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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. We have lots of volunteer opportunities available, including things like helping us prepare for our upcoming Run Drugs Out of Town 5K; facilitating Stronger Together family and friends support meetings; assisting with our Hope Not Handcuffs program; assembling naloxone, comfort, and safe-use kits; and manning informational tables at community events. We also need people to cook Sunday dinners for residents of area sober living homes. Everyone has skills that can help FAN do what it does! To find out more about how you can make a difference, or to sign up, go to THIS LINK.
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FAN Can Always Use Your Financial Assistance.
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