OAKLAND COUNTY
Oakland County Families Against Narcotics (FAN) was founded in April of 2022. This organization is based on everyday people coming together to serve a purpose. Our purpose is to educate families, school members, workforce representatives, public safety associates, court officials, and healthcare professionals about the misuse of drugs and prescription pain medication within our communities.
Oakland County FAN will meet monthly to provide resources, education, and support to those affected by addiction. Details about the content and timing of the meetings will be published monthly on this site and on our social media pages. Our meetings are open to those in recovery, citizens, public safety members, court officials, healthcare professionals, city leaders, education professionals, and business partners.
Our goal is to educate and work to change the stigma of addiction. Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace, and we here at the Oakland County FAN chapter would like to change that to appreciation. Appreciation is the state of being appreciative that has been learned through an experience. We will come to appreciate the struggles that families encounter and the courage and support it takes for each person to change. Growth will come with a complete understanding of a situation.
No Oakland FAN Forum in April
EXECUTIVE BOARD
DR. TIMOTHY GAMMONS
President
Dr. Gammons is board certified in addiction medicine and family medicine and has been in private practice since 2003, with offices in Macomb, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties. He is also Medical Director of the Eastwood Recovery Center men’s inpatient facility, a member of the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine advocacy board, and immediate past president of the Michigan chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. A man in recovery who has devoted his career to treating mental health and substance use disorders because he loves the people, Dr. Gammons is honored to lead the Oakland County FAN chapter.
SARAH REINKENSMEYER
Vice President
Sarah is a Senior United States Probation Officer out of the Eastern District of Michigan. She has been working in law enforcement for more than 15 years and currently specializes in the supervision of individuals suffering from mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Sarah has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. Passionate about helping returning citizens reintegrate back into society, Sarah is excited for the opportunity to work with FAN and looks forward to the many resources the organization can bring to Oakland County.
TODD SMIT
Treasurer
Todd is a student at Oakland Community College, where he plans to earn a degree in Mental Health--Associate of Applied Science after completing the fall 2023 semester. A person in recovery, Todd is retired from a career in the automotive industry and currently volunteers as a SMART Recovery facilitator for several weekly meetings. In his second career, he wants to help others, including volunteering at organizations like FAN that support people with substance use disorder and those who love them.
BILLY CHALMERS
Secretary
Billy Chalmers manages the construction, leasing, and property of the 819 Established Sober Living Apartments. He also manages the real estate at North Greenfield Office Park in Southfield (the landlord to Eastwood Recovery Clinic) and manages one of Dawn Farm’s long-term transition housing facilities in Ypsilanti. When he is not managing recovery-oriented real estate, Billy works full-time as Real Estate Manager for Cartessa Real Estate Company, which is a full-service company that invests, develops, leases, manages, and consults on real estate. Specializing in leasing and tenant relations, Billy manages the real estate of many apartment buildings and office parks across southeastern Michigan. He is also a member of Oakland University’s “Grizz Recovery” program and has spoken at various treatment facilities--including Eastwood Recovery Clinic, Dawn Farm Residential, and Henry Ford Maplegrove center--about his experience, strength, and hope as a person in long-term recovery. Billy is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies from Oakland University part-time. He is grateful to be a board member of FAN.
BOARD MEMBERS
JACQUELINE M. RAXTER
Director
Jacqueline Raxter has a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling with certification in Gerontology and licensure as a Practical Counselor and a Social Worker. A Wayne State University grad, she has more than 35 years of experience in the nonprofit arena providing mental health services to individuals with mental health disorders and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Jacqueline currently serves as the Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Chaldean Community Foundation, where she oversees the licensed therapist staff and the DD/ID services and programming. In addition, Jacqueline serves on the boards for Residential Care Alternatives and MCCFAD (MI Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer's Disease) and acts as a Macomb Great Start Collaborative member. She is a lifelong resident of Warren, Michigan, and the mother of five children.
ERIC SCHMIDT
Director
Eric Schmidt is the Chief of Field Operations for Oakland County Community Corrections, where he has worked for more than 25 years. His duties include overseeing various programs within the organization that utilize evidence-based practices for both pre- and post-adjudication. Oakland County Community Corrections has the largest non-federal Pretrial Services agency in Michigan, a large Pretrial Supervision Unit, Step Forward day reporting center, and a weekend work program. The recipient of an undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and a graduate degree from Central Michigan University, Eric has completed leadership training through Leadership Oakland XVII. He is the Midwest Regional Director for the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA), serves on the NAPSA Education Committee, and is a NAPSA Certified Pretrial Professional.
GWENDOLYN BAMMEL
Director
Gwendolyn Bammel entered the social work field in 2000 with a passion for helping others find recovery and a sense of meaningful connection with themselves and others. She developed her skills in CBT and DBT and then went on to focus on the underlying trauma behind addiction and co-occurring disorders. As a Certified Trauma Specialist with an inner child and EMDR based approach, Gwendolyn has helped numerous clients find resolution to the issues that fueled their continued addiction, thereby helping them find wellness in their lives. Having worked with adults and adolescents and voluntary and court-ordered clients, she joined the Eastwood Clinics' team in 2009. Gwendolyn has worked in all levels of care, providing outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential services, as well as Supervision. She is currently the Clinical Supervisor at Ascension Eastwood Recovery Center, a residential program for indigent men seeking recovery, where the majority of clients have co-occurring disorders, underlying abuse/neglect/trauma issues, unstable housing, unstable work history, criminal backgrounds, and limited resources. Ascension Eastwood Recovery Center provides holistic treatment that helps clients find a path to healing each area of their lives.
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JILLIAN PARSELL
Director
Jillian is a pastry chef who specializes in plant-based and gluten-free desserts. She previously ran a wholesale baking business, supplying treats to metro Detroit restaurants and coffee shops. As a person in long term recovery, Jillian advocates for harm reduction and criminal justice reform. She is particularly passionate about the link between diet and mental health. Outside of the kitchen, Jillian enjoys traveling, creating art, and spending time with her son. After losing many friends and acquaintances to the opioid epidemic, she is excited to sit on the board for FAN.
ADAM LORD
Director
Adam has embraced sobriety since July of 2014 and continues to actively contribute to the recovery community. Throughout his journey, he has dedicated himself to mentoring numerous individuals, providing them with support and guidance during their own recovery processes. With a solid background in the consumer products industry, Adam is currently a Regional Sales Manager at D&W Fine Pack, located in Wood Dale, IL. Beyond his professional pursuits and commitment to sobriety, he finds joy on the golf course or in the loving company of his fiancée, Annmarie.
ADVISORY BOARD
Josh Nucian
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Adam Lord
Regional Sales Manager, Detroit Forming Inc.
Allison Boggess
Registered Nurse, Common Ground
Jamie Smith
Jaafar Chehab
Registered Pharmacist, Wayne State University
Lisa Boska
Regional Angel Coordinator, Hope Not Handcuffs/Families Against Narcotics
Pam Blair
Family Recovery Coach, Families Against Narcotics
Rabbi Benny Greenwald
Friendship Circle
Sara Tigay
Licensed Professional Counselor & Addiction Specialist