Though the term as a very board overall meaning, for our purposes, harm reduction refers to a variable set of practices with the common goal of lessening the negative impacts associated with substance use. It can be a controversial topic, but Just Love More stands firm knowing that harm reduction saves lives.

The decision to begin recovery from addiction is one that only an individual can make. Just Love More understands the importance of promoting and encouraging practices that will help keep a person who uses drugs (PWUD) safer until they decide they are ready to explore the recovery options available to them because the first step toward changing a life for the better is keeping someone alive to make that decision. We do not promote substance use, but we acknowledge that substance use is happening and that ignoring and stigmatizing it only puts lives in danger.  We strive to help substance users stay as safe as they can until they are ready for help, because that is the right thing to do.

Just Love More believes that harm reduction empowers substance users to take personal responsibility for their use, which can be an important move toward recovery. Harm reduction providers are building relationships based on mutual respect and trust, and these relationships can not only encourage substance users to get help, they often mean the difference between life and death.

Harm reduction practices include, but are not limited to:

  • Syringe and needle exchanges
  • Safer sex supplies
  • STI testing
  • Medically-supervised injection sites
  • Overdose prevention training and reversal supplies
  • Basic first aid supplies and wound care
  • adequate food and nutrition

Just Love More supports, endorses, and partners with these organizations that work with harm reduction in Georgia: