The Gratiot County Chapter of Face Addiction Now (FAN) has launched its “suitcases for treatment program.”
This program provides individuals entering inpatient substance use treatment programs with a suitcase containing basic necessities. The suitcase also allows individuals a means to carry their own possessions. The program’s purpose is to reduce a barrier to treatment and provide individuals with basic necessities. The suitcase and its contents are provided free of charge.
According to FAN Vice President Alan Gatlin, FAN chapters in other parts of the state had similar programs to this. Renewed Resale in Alma provides FAN with gently used suitcases, then FAN themselves purchases supplies to go into each suitcase. All of the contents are new and comply with in-patient treatment center guidelines.
“This is an amazing program. Often, individuals go directly from jail to a treatment program with only the clothes on their back and a few personal items in a garbage bag,” said member of the Gratiot FAN board and Gratiot County Sheriff Tom Clark. “It’s a difficult time in their life, to say the least. The suitcase program provides them some personal items and the chance to enter the program with dignity. It also lets them know that there are people in the community who care about them and are pulling for their success.”
Gratiot FAN has stocked suitcases at the Gratiot County Jail in Ithaca and at Gratiot Integrated Health Network (GIHN) in Alma. The Jail Administrator and the staff at GIHN will provide them as needed to individuals entering inpatient substance use programs only.
Gratiot FAN is a local chapter of Face Addiction Now. The Gratiot FAN’s goal is to help individuals and families affected by substance use disorder to realize they are not alone and to provide help, save lives, and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder.
The chapter holds monthly Family Forums for individuals and family members affected by substance use as well as people who work in healthcare, law enforcement, and the courts, who come together to share experiences and hear interesting speakers. Family Forums are held the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Louis City Hall, 300 N. Mill Street in St. Louis.
Face Addiction Now is a grass roots organization founded in 2007 and based in Macomb County in Metro Detroit with local chapters across the state. FAN works tirelessly to fulfill its mission: To assist individuals and families affected by substance use disorder by offering a variety of community and evidence-based programs and services.
For more information on Gratiot FAN, go to their Facebook page at FAN Gratiot County.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, visit faceaddictionnow.org.
