GRAND RAPIDS
The Grand Rapids FAN chapter launched in February of 2017. Several years earlier, they were alarmed by the increasing number of news reports on the opioid crisis. In 2015, they began contacting community leaders and partnering agencies in Grand Rapids and Kent County, inviting them to come to the table and open up the dialogue about this deadly disease ravaging our community.
The Board and Advisory Board members are working volunteers, passionate about making a difference and committed to providing quality service programming with integrity.
Our monthly Family Forums offer education, resources, and support for those facing the challenges of addiction. We don’t have the answers, but we are creating healthy conversations offering hope, and searching for solutions. For those experiencing the grief of a loved one lost to addiction, we offer comfort; for those facing incarceration, we advocate for the provision of medical treatment of this disease while in the system; and for those needing other supportive resources, we collaborate in the community in creating them.
We know that all sectors involved must work together in collaboration in finding solutions that will be meaningful.
There is a sense of urgency with this crisis, termed “the worst man-made epidemic in the history of mankind” by the CDC. We lose more lives nationally each year than we lost in a ten-year period of the Vietnam War. Opioid overdose deaths now surpass preventable deaths of any other cause, including car accidents and guns. Kent County has not been spared, and in 2017-18 was identified as one of the top five worst hit counties in the state.
Our membership includes those from law enforcement, the judicial system, health professionals, education, community advocates, family members, those in recovery, and those considering recovery. We offer Real Stories from Real People in our ongoing efforts for education, treatment, and support. We strive to erase the stigma of addiction through education, stressing that addiction is a medical disease and not simply a moral failing, so that those needing treatment can receive it without shame or embarrassment.
We invite you to join us at our monthly Family Forums to learn more.
MONTHLY MEETING
1st Tuesday of the Month
7:00 - 8:00 pm
NEW LOCATION!
Kent County/MSU Extension
775 Ball Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(To join via virtual meeting:
Zoom Meeting ID 931 9327 3342
Passcode: 218163)
All are welcome to attend.
(Children 10 and older please.)
CONTACT US:
grandrapids@familiesagainstnarcotics.org
Check out our Facebook Page for other Events:
www.facebook.com/Families-Against-Narcotics-Grand-Rapids:
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Janelle Murray
Term Exp 12/22
President
Janelle Murray (MPH) currently works at Michigan Primary Care Association as the Associate Director of Integrated Health. In her current role, she is focused on substance use disorder services, behavioral health, integrated health utilizing innovative program development and implementation, and project management, along with training and technical assistance. Janelle received her bachelor of science degree from Central Michigan University and her Master of Public Health from Capella University. For the past nine years she has worked in substance use disorder services throughout Michigan. An ACE’s Master Trainer for the state of Michigan, Janelle is also a certified prevention specialist and naloxone/Narcan trainer. Her portfolio of substance use disorder knowledge (prevention, treatment, and recovery), trauma informed care, adverse childhood experiences, education, and pharmacological and holistic care gives her a diverse background and expertise.
Judge Joseph Rossi
Vice President
Term Exp 12/22
Judge Rossi was elected in November of 2016 and began judicial service on January 1, 2017. A judge for the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, he attended the University of Notre Dame, where he obtained a degree in English in 1988 and a Juris Doctorate in 1995. Between his undergraduate studies and law school, Joe served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, including combat service in Operation Desert Storm. His final tour was on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, where he worked under the director of global special operations and counterterrorism. Retired from the military as a lieutenant colonel in 2012, Joe serves in the Circuit Court’s Civil-Criminal division and founded Kent County’s Treatment and Support Court, which focuses on keeping individuals struggling with serious mental illness “in treatment...and out of jail.” He currently serves on the board of Alternative Directions, a men’s residential program in Grand Rapids.
Andrea Zufelt
Secretary
Term Exp 12/22
Andrea comes from a large extended family that includes many loved ones who have struggled with substance abuse. She is the program director/program coordinator/case manager for the Kentwood Regional Sobriety Court Program, working with individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction and have multiple-offense drinking and driving cases. Andrea likes to help her clients realize the potential their lives have without alcohol or drugs, and helps them focus on life’s ups and downs in a healthy and positive manner. A certified alcohol and drug counselor, she has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in psychology and addiction counseling.
Chuck DeWitt
Treasurer
Term Exp 12/22
Undersheriff Chuck DeWitt has been employed at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years. He began his career at the sheriff’s office as a road patrol deputy and was promoted through the ranks, serving in all the law enforcement divisions at the sheriff’s office. In June 2013, as a captain, Chuck transferred to the Corrections Division and assumed the role of security captain. Having never worked in the jail prior to this, he was exposed to and saw firsthand the impact the Opioid Crisis had on the inmates, as well as the additional work and stress encountered by the security and medical staff that had to manage the inmates going through withdrawals. After extensive research, consultation with the county’s legal staff and medical community, and approval from Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, a partnership and phase one of a pilot study began in February 2017 with the 61st District Drug Court. The pilot program allowed inmates in drug court who were lodged at the Kent County Correctional Facility (KCCF) to continue to receive medication assisted treatment (MAT). This pilot program has since transitioned to phase two, which allows any inmate at the KCCF to continue an already established MAT program. Chuck earned his BS in criminal justice and psychology from Grand Valley State University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.
BOARD MEMBERS
Jayne Dykema
Director
Term Exp 12/22
Bio coming soon.
Chris Becker
Term Exp 12/22
Director
Chris has been the Assistant County Prosecutor for Kent County for more than twenty years, and has recently been elected county prosecutor. Having grown up in the area, he sees the impact that this epidemic has had in the region and the need for committed resources and support for those affected by addiction and their loved ones. He also realizes that the criminal justice system is not fully equipped to deal with all the ramifications of addiction, and that Families Against Narcotics is a contributing advocacy group for the region.
Daniel O'Hara
Director
Term Exp 12/22
Dan O’Hara is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Kent County. He also serves as the Prosecuting Attorney assigned to the 61st District Court Drug Treatment Court team. Born and raised in the Grand Rapids area, Dan attended Grand Valley State University and received a bachelor’s degree in finance. He also graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Dan has been a member of the prosecutor’s office since 2015, and has been with the 61st District Court Drug Treatment Court since 2016. Dan cares deeply about his community and am honored to be a part of the Grand Rapids FAN Board.
Molly Reid
Director
Term Exp 12/22
Molly is a Senior Account Executive at IT Resource Inc., an enterprise-level information technology services firm. She worked in business development in insurance, banking, manufacturing, and healthcare before moving into the technology world thanks to a customer who admired her passion for putting people and solutions together to help businesses succeed. Molly’s educational background includes a BS in health, education, and consumer sciences from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a master’s in management from Aquinas College. She also holds certifications in sales for a variety of technology solutions. After losing her 23-year-old daughter to an overdose in 2016, Molly founded Meghan’s A.R.M.Y (Addiction Recovery Movement 4 Youth), an organization she serves as president of. She also sits on the Lakeshore Regional Entity Substance Use Disorder Policy Oversight Board, is Finance Chair/Director for the Mid-Michigan Banking Group, and is a Nominating Committee member for the Michigan Bankers Association’s Michigan Traveling Circus. Molly is excited to continue her passion for helping others through her FAN board position.
Theresa Adkison
Director
Term Exp 12/22
Theresa is the founding Director of Derek’s Place, which is named after her son. Derek suffered with substance use disorder (SUD) for more than 17 years before dying from a lethal dose of heroin laced with carfentanyl on January 1, 2018. Since Derek’s death, Theresa has done everything she can to help end the stigma surrounding SUD and assist people in getting the help they need. A firm believer that the community needs the support of an organization like FAN, Theresa is excited to be a part of the Grand Rapids FAN board. “I have found FAN to be a great support for families of loved ones with SUD and those in recovery from SUD.”
ADVISORY BOARD
Coming Soon