The Ionia/Montcalm (I/M) FAN chapter was originally established in 2015 by 8th Circuit Court Judge Suzanne H. Kreeger, who oversees a specialized court program in Ionia and Montcalm Counties. She founded the chapter with support from Phil Pavona of the Ingham-Okemos FAN chapter, inspired by the work being done in Lansing and the desire to bring similar efforts to her area. I/M FAN was created with the belief that, through the dedication of local volunteers, greater awareness and understanding of substance-related challenges could lead to meaningful change. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the I/M FAN chapter paused its regular meetings. Now, we are excited to re-launch and welcome back I/M FAN as a resource and point of connection in our region.

Our goal is to help more people understand the continuing impact of opioid misuse and its effects on individuals and families in our area. We aim to increase awareness around the dangers of both prescription and illegal narcotics, share real-life experiences and data, and provide a space where families and professionals can find insight and support.

In Ionia and Montcalm counties, the mindset of “not my car, not my house, not my kid, not my problem” continues to have devastating consequences. The people affected are our husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. We believe education is a key tool in promoting safety and informed decision-making. By collaborating with public safety officials, healthcare providers, insurance companies, schools, legal professionals, and families, we hope to encourage a more informed and compassionate response to these challenges—moving forward, one life at a time.