What‘s your response to the term “harm reduction”? Do you realize that you participate in harm reduction daily? Things like, strapping on a seatbelt, using railings on staircases, or scrubbing your hands with hot, soapy water all attempt to minimize risk in some way. Yet, perhaps your reaction to harm reduction feels a little different when it comes to drugs. So, why?

Dr. Meera Grover challenges us to take a deep look at our beliefs surrounding substance use and harm reduction. Are they rooted in a stigma or in cultural views of those who struggle with substance use and misuse? Are they rooted in a love for God’s people that reflects His heart?  

Dr. Grover is a physician and a Christian with a background in theology. She began her career in international development and later transitioned to working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Calgary. With the highest level of addiction medicine training in Canada, Dr. Grover has grappled with the complex ethical questions surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and the true meaning of hope.

Tune in for part 2 of this important conversation as we talk about addiction, faith, and the power of being present.