Oct 28, 2021
Jan Cairnes speaks about preventing drug and alcohol misuse, especially in adolescents, with the passion and conviction of someone who spent 18 years leading Hanley Foundation’s prevention services before becoming its CEO five years ago.
During that time, she has grown the foundation’s budget from $600,000 to $6.1 million and expanded its mission.
“My philosophy is we are green and growing.” said Cairnes. “And, with that philosophy comes the responsibility and privilege of being leaders in many people’s recovery journey.”
Hanley Foundation is the largest provider of evidence-based educational programs that prevent underage drinking in Florida. It offers treatment scholarships to those in need and facilitates trainings to identify the signs of substance misuse. The foundation’s mission is to eliminate addiction through prevention, advocacy, treatment, and recovery support.
“We have helped more than 300 people this year get quality treatment through our scholarships,” said Cairnes. She understands the importance of not just churning people through treatment, but in making sure that the pieces are in place to support recovery well past the initial treatment period.
The foundation is expanding into South Palm Beach County with the inaugural Hanley Foundation Brice Makris Memorial Picnic on November 14. The event honors the son of board member John Makris and his wife Michelle. Their son Brice passed away in March 2020 due to an accidental Fentanyl overdose. Brice’s goal was to save 100 men and women from the disease of addiction. Now, his parents and Hanley Foundation are exceeding that goal.
“With support from our communities, we will be able to help thousands instead of just 100 individuals,” said Cairnes.
The foundation also recently received a $600,000 grant for three years to work with doctors to develop a protocol for adolescents to ensure that they find alternatives to prescribing opioids and other addictive painkillers.
“We are starting with the premise that no doctor wants any child to be addicted,” said Cairnes. “At the same time, doctors don’t want their patients to be in pain. How do we safely manage those two things? If we can change prescribing practices, we can reduce addiction.”
Hanley Foundation, 700 S. Dixie Highway, Ste. 103, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, 561-268-2355, hanleyfoundation.org
