13 Police Departments Join Hope Not Handcuffs to Connect Addicts with Help
Bloomfield Township, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Waterford Township, West Bloomfield, White Lake and Wixom, MI – The Hope Not Handcuffs program began in Macomb County with a simple idea, giving police department the tools and connections they need to get addicts help without fear.
The program launched in Feb 2017 by Families Against Narcotics (FANS) and has helped over 1,200 people get support for giving up addiction.  Departments in Genessee and Lapeer County also came on board.  The City of Ferndale and the Village of Holly also started offering the program in 2017.  Thirteen police departments in Oakland County have now joined them, with the announcement taking place Tuesday at Farmington Hills City Hall.
Now those seeking help with drug addiction can go to police stations in Bloomfield Township, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Waterford Township, West Bloomfield, White Lake and Wixom to request help.
Once a person comes into the station, police contact the “Angel Coordinator” for the group.  The police also have an “Angel box” that has comfort items to hold over the person until their “Angel” can arrive, including a blanket, bottled water, and granola bars to give them some comfort as they wait.  Police do an assessment and the Angel helps get them into a recovery program, immediately if possible.
“Police departments can make a difference by working as partners with the community.  The unique physiological effects and widespread usage of opioids make holistic approaches like this more likely to be effective,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus.  “Police officers now have access to patient-centered intervention through Hope Not Handcuffs.”
Madison Heights Police Chief Corey Haines said “Madison Heights is very proud to be a part of Hope Not Handcuffs.  Several of our Police Chaplains have been trained as “Angels” to assist with this program.  We believe that this program is a great benefit to our citizens that are struggling with addiction so that they know that they have a safe place to go where they will receive the help they need rather than being arrested.”
FANS also accepts and trains volunteers for the Hope Not Handcuffs program.  To learn more visit www.hopenothandcuffs.com.