Hope Not Handcuffs: Police Departments Join To Offer Resources Over Jail Time For Drug Offenses

FERNDALE, Mich. (March 2, 2017) – Those suffering from addiction now have access to treatment without fear of jail time thanks to the newly implemented Hope Not Handcuffs program – the latest addition to a nationwide movement occurring in police departments across the country. The Macomb County and Ferndale Police Departments are the only law enforcement agencies in the Oakland County, Michigan area to take part in the program. “We have seen firsthand the devastating effect that substance use has had,” said Linda Davis, President of Families Against Narcotics, which created the program in partnership with the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative. “This community-wide partnership will better connect residents with the help they need and provide options for recovery that have been tough to find before.” Those in need of immediate help are invited to come to the police department, where they will be connected with recovery support and treatment – no questions asked. Over 200 volunteer “angels” have agreed to assist them with transport. After treatment, the people helped will receive referrals for continued support. “Michigan’s addiction epidemic continues to hurt families and claim lives all across our state,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who chaired Michigan’s Prescription Drug and Opioid Use Task Force. “While efforts to deal with the problem are underway at the state level, community partnerships like Hope Not Handcuffs give local residents a new lifeline and show just how much the community cares about the well-being of its people.” In less than a month, 40 addicted people in the Ferndale, Michigan area have reached out for treatment, and seven have been successfully placed in treatment. “They are getting over that hump of being afraid of talking to police about that because they’re coming in and talking to our officers,” Sgt. Baron Brown tells Fox2 News Detroit. The program, while designed to combat heroin addiction, is available to people battling any type of drug. For more information about Ferndale’s participation in the program, contact Sgt. Baron Brown with the Ferndale Police Department at (248) 541-3650. If you need help with addiction treatment, call Vertava Health at 844-470-0410.