The HARP program was created in March 2016 in Chesterfield County, Virginia to interrupt the traditional cycle of arrest and release among heroin users with the main goal of saving lives. The program is still referred to as HARP, but the name was changed to Helping Addicts Recover Progressively to expand treatment to those struggling with other drugs. HARP is a voluntary, jail-based two-phase model that utilizes therapeutic, medical, and educational approaches to provide addiction and mental health services to those in need. The main components of HARP are:

• Peer-to-peer counseling
• Small group mental health counseling with licensed clinicians
• Comprehensive medical care as it relates to addiction
• Family involvement and education
• Opportunity for spiritual exploration with faith-based providers
• Reentry services
• Trauma-informed care    

Phase I is characterized by peer-to-peer recovery, skills training, personal development, and discharge planning. Phase I completion requires approximately six months. Phase II is characterized by continued attendance of 12-step groups and/or work with other substance use treatment groups or clinicians. Phase II participants are eligible to become trained and certified peer recovery specialists, the training paid for by the program. Phase II participants receive special housing and additional freedoms not afforded to those in Phase I. Participants do not need to be incarcerated to complete HARP. A more extensive overview and manual for the program can be found here. There has been an evaluation of the program done by Virginia Commonwealth University. A recent paper showed that participation in HARP followed by linkage to a recovery home after release was an effective form of treatment.