That message — “No judgment, just love” — is posted on the outside of the van.
The approach is known as comprehensive harm reduction, recognizing not all people using drugs are ready yet for treatment but face tremendous peril.
“We really want people to feel seen and loved and supported in a way they probably haven’t been before,” Chris Atwood Foundation Executive Director Ginny Lovitt said.
“Giving away one of these could potentially save a life,” peer support specialist Ian Gordon said. “So we’re always glad of that.”
Before he entered treatment, peer support specialist Dan Buckley used to travel from Northern Virginia to D.C. to get clean syringes and needles. This program offers much more.