Belleville PD to launch ‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ with Oct. 2 event

Three area police departments are holding special events to kick off their new “Hope Not Handcuffs” initiative.
Redford Township’s event was on Sept. 18, Inkster’s is on Sept. 25, and the city of Belleville Police event is at noon on Oct. 2 at the police department at Five Points.
In addition to the police chief, speakers will include representatives from FNA/”Hope Not Handcuffs.”
Face Addiction Now (FAN, formerly known as Families Against Narcotics), a Macomb County-based nonprofit organization founded in 2007, is teaming up with three Wayne County police departments to bring hope to people who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) and want to find recovery.
One of FAN’s most successful initiatives, “Hope Not Handcuffs” is designed to give people who are struggling with SUD a safe and easy way to access help: by visiting their local police station.
The program’s concept is simple: Any person who is battling a drug or alcohol addiction can go to a participating agency and say they want help. They will be greeted with support, compassion, and respect, and one of FAN’s trained volunteer “Angels” will be dispatched to meet them. The Angel will then contact FAN’s Call Center and work with them to get the individual placed into treatment.
People seeking help for a substance use disorder can also reach out directly to the Hope Not Handcuffs Call Center by phoning 833.202.HOPE (4673). The Call Center is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“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.
The goal is to help everyone who’s been affected by the disease of addiction find recovery.
“The City of Belleville Police Department is excited to participate in the ‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ initiative,” said Belleville Police Chief Kristin Faull in a news release.
“Our involvement indicates our commitment to addressing substance abuse issues in our community through a compassionate and supportive approach. By partnering with ‘Hope Not Handcuffs,’ our department can offer individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity to access treatment and support services instead of facing incarceration. This not only benefits the individual, but it also contributes to the overall community well-being by promoting rehabilitation.”
Since its inception in February of 2017, “Hope Not Handcuffs” has been implemented at more than 150 law enforcement agencies and community partners across Michigan, and has connected people to addiction treatment resources more than 13,500 times.
Van Buren Township Police began its “Hope Not Handcuffs” program in March.