Two moms, who wanted to make a difference in their community after losing a son and stepson to an accidental heroin overdose, were the driving force behind the formation of the Oakland/Livingston Communities chapter of Families Against Narcotics (FAN) in the South Lyon area.

This FAN statement resonated with both of them: "Today's drug addiction respects no geographic, ethnic, economic, or social boundaries. No neighborhood is immune. By joining together, we can have a larger voice and a greater chance to make a difference." Even in the midst of all the feelings of desperation that go along with the disease of addiction, that statement appealed to the women's hopefulness for the first time in months.

​

Sadly, the day they read it was the day before Daniel died. But they decided to go forward with a plan to make a Families Against Narcotics (FAN) chapter a reality in their community. They realized the need for open dialogue about how the drug addiction health crisis is impacting entire communities. Their hope was that by reaching out to the entire community, and by helping raise awareness, that perhaps even one family could be spared the devastating heartache of losing a child or loved one to this disease.

​

In line with the FAN philosophy, by joining together and partnering with the entire community they hope to help and support other families going through this very same life-altering situation; and to help provide a safe place and create an atmosphere in which everyone could come together to ask questions, share information, find resources, and to help reduce the stigma associated with drug abuse and addiction, through education and prevention. Hopefully, before another life is lost to this disease.