MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Addiction is a problem in many families, but it's more of a hidden problem.

One okemos dad started an Okemos and Ingham County chapter of Families Against Narcotics in order to shed some light on this problem and help families get through it.

Phil Pavona is a husband for over 30 years, a father of five children and a resident of Okemos. At first glance, many would not realize, he's so much more than just that.

Phil Pavona, executive director of FAN said, "I'm the face of addiction."

The issue with substance abuse in his family happened with his son Eric. Eric graduated high school with honors, received a 32 on his act and earned scholarships for Ferris.

After some time, Eric decided to come back home for college and he spent a lot of time in East Lansing. While in East Lansing, he came across a girl from his high school who happened to be a heroin addict.

"And unbenounced to us, they were seeing a lot of each other and our son began to use drugs," Pavona said. "He went from prescription medication to utilizing heroin."

Phil and his wife, Patricia, spent two-and-a-half years seeking help for their son. Eric was in and out of rehab centers, as well as jail. Unfortunately, he lost the battle of addiction in August of 2011.

Pavona said, "They would offer their condolences and about five minutes into the conversation they would say, 'Well, Phil, I have to tell you something.' Then they would start crying and say, 'Our son's a heroin addict, our daughter's a herioin addict..."

Phil realized there were so many famiies in the community that were going through what his family did, just silently. He decided to start FAN, Families Against Narcotics, for Ingham County, so these families wouldn't have to go through this alone.

FAN helps addicts with prevention, works with schools and professionals in the community to raise awareness and looks to change the face of addiction.