‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ coming to Gratiot County

A statewide program that assists law enforcement agencies to find viable treatment options for those seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction is coming to Gratiot County.

“Hope Not Handcuffs,” founded by Families Against Narcotics in 2017, will host a kickoff event at 6 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse in Ithaca.

The Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office, and Alma, St. Louis and

Breckenridge police departments will be part of the HNH program.

To date, HNH has connected more than 10,800 people in Michigan with the resources necessary to find recovery from addiction.

It also provides trained and certified peer recovery coaches for individuals who participate in the program, as well as family recovery coaches for family members or loved ones.

Families Against Narcotics and HNH officials appreciate the collaboration of local law enforcement agencies, which currently numbers more than 140 statewide.

“I want to convey my profound gratitude to the community, our invaluable law enforcement partners, our incredible Angel volunteers, the dedicated tranporporters and the entire Hope Not Handcuffs team,” Program Director Kim Baffo stated in a press release.

“Collectively we are effecting a transformative change in the lives of individuals struggling with addiction. Let us continue to collaborate closely to deliver hope and assistance to those who need it most.”

Alma Police Chief Kendra Overla is excited that her department will be part of the program.

“We are very fortunate to have Hope Not Handcuffs as a resource in Gratiot County,” she said.

“Our officers see the effects of substance use disorder daily. No one can manage this alone, HNH offers the opportunity to get well, and for that we are grateful. With the collaboration of each law enforcement agency, HNH Regional Coordinator Jestine Garcia, and the entire HNH team, this is finally a reality.”

St. Louis Police Chief Richard Ramereiz is also looking forward to his department participating in HNH.

“To have a person who is struggling with any substance use disorder reach out for help is a tremendous thing,” he said.

“To miss the opportunity to provide help would be a great injustice, not only to that person but to their family and society. I look forward to this joint venture be