Families Against Narcotics speaks at 2019 Opioid Summit

MARQUETTE —  Opioid abuse is an issue that has gained considerable attention over the past few years. The 2019 Opioid Summit, held in Marquette Wednesday, brought this issue to light. At the summit was a group called Families Against Narcotics, a non–profit organization based out of lower Michigan.

Families Against Narcotics, or FAN, gave a talk about trying to break the stigma surrounding addiction, in order to encourage people to seek help.

“People don’t get treatment because of ignorance of the community,” says Linda Davis, executive director of FAN. “A lot of people think that addiction is a choice; it’s not, it’s a brain disease. It’s not a moral failing, and until the community starts to understand that, people are hesitant to talk about it.”

The organization showed the packed Holiday Inn crowd a video, highlighting various stories of people that struggled with addiction, after being prescribed opiates for sports–related injuries.

Although there is no Families Against Narcotics branch in the UP, the organization is hopeful for the possibility.