Fighting Addiction? Troy Offers 'Hope Not Handcuffs'

TROY, MI – Anyone needing help in their fight against drug or alcohol addiction can now come to the Troy Police Department for help – and not fear they'll be thrown in jail. The city has announced it is part of the "Hope Not Handcuffs" program.

"We are excited to be able to offer this resource to our community and open our front door as a first step in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction," said city officials in a statement on Tuesday. The city is largest participating agency in Oakland County, and joins Ferndale and Holly in the program.

When a person comes to the police department seeking help, he or she will be treated with compassion and respect, according to a statement from the city of Troy. Hope Not Handcuffs is a proactive approach to reach out to people struggling with drug addiction and to encourage them to seek recovery and regain control of their lives.

The Hope Not Handcuffs website indicates that some people, including those with arrest warrants or who are deemed a danger to others, may not be eligible for the program. When a person does come into the police and is eligible for the program, an "angel" volunteer from the program will be called and treatment plan will begin.

Hope Not Handcuffs is an initiative started by Families Against Narcotics, an organization that helps community members on their road to recovery. It is aimed at bringing law enforcement, community organizations and volunteers together to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce dependency with any substance, including heroin, prescription drugs and alcohol.

Across the 40 community where the Hope Not Handcuffs program has been setup since February 2017, it has assisted 910 people with their addiction problems, according to the organization's website.

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