In 2016, Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard launched the Heroin Addiction Recovery Program (HARP) in response to the county’s alarming rate of overdose death. By 2018, the program expanded beyond heroin addiction to address all forms of substance use disorders and was renamed Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP).
HARP stands out due to its holistic, peer-to-peer recovery model, and its unique focus on providing inmates autonomy during their treatment. The program’s mission is to break the cycle of incarceration and recidivism among substance users in the United States. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, HARP tackles the root causes of addiction, offering comprehensive support through trauma treatment, peer-led support groups, and spiritual and mental health counseling. Participants also benefit from alternative therapies such as canine therapy, music therapy, and trauma tapping therapy, which have proven to be effective.