All Things Coalition

08/31/2026

💜 THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PATH TO RECOVERY!

Recovery is personal.

There isn't one program, treatment, timeline, or definition of success that works for everyone.

At ATC, we know that recovery is PROCESS.

SAMHSA defines recovery as “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.”

For one person, that journey may include:

💜 Peer support
🩺 Medical or behavioral healthcare
💊 Medications for opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine or methadone
🤝 Counseling or treatment programs
👥 Recovery or mutual-support groups
🏠 Stable housing and community resources
🌱 Building purpose, relationships, and healthier routines

And for someone who isn't ready to pursue recovery today, risk-reduction services like still matter.

Providing sterile supplies, naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine checking resources, health education, and connection to care can help protect someone's health while keeping the door open for future change.

At All Things Coalition, we don't define another person's recovery. Instead we:

We provide connection.
We provide options.
We provide support.

And we respect each person's right to determine what their next step looks like.

💜 There is no single road to recovery. What matters is that there are roads available.

Need support or want to explore your options?

📞 423-254-0588
All Things Coalition
Connection. Support. Recovery.

Evidence-based resources: [SAMHSA — Recovery and Recovery Support](https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/recovery?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | [CDC — Opioid Use Disorder: Treating](https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

08/31/2026

When you’re feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or depressed, you might think using drugs will help you get through today. And not think about the consequences. Today we honor those lost to overdose. Living in Morristown TN Living in Morristown, Tn

08/28/2026

💜 FRIDAY FOCUS | WORDS CAN OPEN DOORS

The words we use matter.

Substance use disorder is a **treatable medical condition**—not a character flaw, lack of willpower, or measure of someone's worth.

Research has found that stigmatizing language can influence how people with substance use disorders are perceived, including by healthcare professionals. Person-first language helps keep the focus where it belongs: **on the person, not a label.**

Instead of:

❌ “Addict” → Try **“person with a substance use disorder”**
❌ “Drug abuser” → Try **“person who uses drugs”**
❌ “Clean/dirty test” → Try **“negative/positive test”**
❌ “Failed treatment” → Consider **“treatment was not effective for this person”** or describe what actually occurred.

Changing our language doesn't minimize the realities or consequences of substance use.

**It recognizes the humanity of the person experiencing them.**

At All Things Coalition, we believe dignity shouldn't depend on where someone is in their journey. People deserve to be heard, respected, and offered accurate information and meaningful options without being reduced to a diagnosis or behavior.

💜 **Language can create stigma—or create space for connection. Choose words that leave the door open.**

📞 **423-254-0588**
**All Things Coalition**
*Connection. Support. Recovery.*

Evidence-based resources: [National Institute on Drug Abuse — Words Matter](https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/addiction-science/words-matter-preferred-language-talking-about-addiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

08/27/2026

💜 THURSDAY FOCUS | SMALL ACTIONS. BIG IMPACT.

Risk reduction isn't only about responding to an emergency. It's also about the everyday choices and resources that help protect individual and community health.

**Safe disposal is one of those choices.**

💉 Used needles and other sharps should be placed in an appropriate sharps container and disposed of according to local requirements. Proper sharps disposal helps reduce accidental needlestick injuries and potential exposure to bloodborne infections.

💊 Unused or expired medications should be taken to an authorized medication take-back location whenever possible. The FDA identifies drug take-back options as the preferred method for disposing of most unused medicines.

At All Things Coalition, we believe people deserve access to **practical risk-reduction alternatives without judgment.** Safe disposal options are one more way we can support health, dignity, and connection to resources.

And every syringe returned for safe disposal represents someone choosing a **safer option.** 💜

**Small actions can have a big impact.**

Need information about risk-reduction resources or safe disposal options?

📞 **423-254-0588**
**All Things Coalition**
*Connection. Support. Recovery.*

Evidence-based resources: [CDC — Safe Community Needle Disposal](https://www.cdc.gov/needlestick-safety/about/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | [FDA — Drug Disposal: Drug Take-Back Options](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-options?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

08/26/2026

# # # 💜 WEDNESDAY WELLNESS | YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

A small wound can become a bigger health concern if it isn't cared for properly.

For people who use drugs, **wound care is an important part of risk reduction.** Everyone deserves accurate health information and access to medical care without judgment.

🧼 **CLEAN** — Wash your hands and gently clean wounds with clean water and mild soap around the area.

🩹 **COVER** — Keep wounds protected with clean dressings, and don't share wound-care supplies.

👀 **WATCH** — Pay attention to changes such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or drainage.

🏥 **GET CARE** — Seek medical attention for worsening symptoms or signs of infection. Fever, chills, red streaks, rapidly spreading redness/swelling, severe pain, or feeling very ill can be signs that prompt medical care is needed.

**Don't squeeze, cut, or try to drain an abscess yourself.** Doing so can worsen an infection or spread bacteria.

And remember: **seeking medical care is never something to be ashamed of.**

At All Things Coalition, risk reduction is about more than preventing overdose. It's about providing information, resources, and options that help people **protect their health today while keeping the door open for tomorrow.**

💜 **Your health matters. You matter.**

📞 423-254-0588
**All Things Coalition**
*Connection. Support. Recovery.*

Evidence-based resources: [CDC — About Sepsis](https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/about/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and [CDC — About Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)](https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/about/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

💜 DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU FROM CALLING FOR HELP.
If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911.
Tennessee law provides specific legal protections for people who, in good faith, seek medical assistance for someone experiencing or believed to be experiencing an overdose. The protection applies when the evidence for a covered violation results from seeking that medical assistance. �
Tennessee General Assembly +1
Tennessee expanded these protections effective July 1, 2025, including certain alcohol-related violations and clarifying that an overdose may involve drugs or alcohol. The law is Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-1-156. �
Tennessee General Assembly +1
If you suspect an opioid overdose:
📞 Call 911 immediately
💜 Give naloxone if available
🫁 Support breathing and follow 911 instructions
🤝 Stay with the person until help arrives
Tennessee health officials specifically recommend calling 911 immediately, administering naloxone when available, and remaining with the person until first responders arrive. �
Tennessee State Government +1
Helping can save a life. Don't let fear keep someone from getting the medical care they need.
💜 Every life has value.
All Things Coalition
📞 423-254-0588
Connection. Support. Recovery.
Learn more from official sources:
Tennessee Naloxone Training & Good Samaritan Law Information⁠�
Tennessee General Assembly — HB 995/SB 940 and 2025 changes⁠�
Tennessee Department of Health Overdose Response Resources⁠�
*This post provides general educational information and is not legal advice.

08/25/2026

💜 TUESDAY TIP | CONNECTION CAN SAVE A LIFE

If you or someone you care about uses drugs, one risk-reduction step is simple:

Avoid using alone whenever possible.

An overdose can make a person unable to give themselves naloxone or call for help. Having someone nearby who knows the signs of an opioid overdose, has naloxone available, and can respond can make a critical difference.

If someone chooses to use:

💜 Avoid using alone when possible.
💉 Use new, sterile supplies and avoid sharing equipment.
⚠️ Remember that the strength and contents of the drug supply can be unpredictable.
🧪 Use drug-checking options, such as fentanyl and xtylazine test strips, when available.
🩺 Keep naloxone nearby and make sure others know where it is and how to use it.
📞 If an overdose is suspected, administer naloxone and call 911.

Risk reduction isn't about judgment or requiring someone to be ready for recovery.

It's about providing information and options that can help someone stay alive and protect their health today.

And when someone is ready for another step, connection and support are here.

💜 Every life has value. Every safer choice matters.

All Things Coalition
📞 423-254-0588
Connection. Support. Recovery.

Evidence-based information: CDC and SAMHSA

08/24/2026

💜 MONDAY MATTERS | WHAT’S IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET?

Take a few minutes today to check your medications.

Unused or expired medications can remain in our homes long after we need them. Safe storage and proper disposal are simple steps that can help prevent accidental poisoning and medication misuse.

🔒 Store medications securely and out of reach of children and others who should not have access.

📅 Check expiration dates and identify medications you no longer use or need.

🚫 Don’t share prescription medications. A medication prescribed for one person may not be safe or appropriate for someone else.

♻️ Use an authorized medication take-back option when available. The FDA recommends drug take-back locations as the preferred way to dispose of most unused or expired medicines.

And remember—asking how to safely dispose of medication is a responsible choice.

At All Things Coalition, risk reduction is about providing practical information, resources, and alternatives that support the health and well-being of individuals and families.

💜 Small safety steps can make a meaningful difference.

📞 423-254-0588
All Things Coalition
Connection. Support. Recovery.

Sources: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

08/24/2026

💜 30 DAYS OF IMPACT | OVER 100 SYRINGES SAFELY COLLECTED

We have an exciting update to share!

In our first 30 days, All Things Coalition has collected more than 100 used syringes for safer disposal. 💉

That's more than 100 syringes that were returned instead of potentially being reused, shared, or improperly discarded in our community.

And this work is about much more than collecting syringes.

💜 ACCESS TO CLEAN, STERILE SYRINGES MATTERS.

The CDC recommends using a new, sterile syringe for every injection. Sharing or reusing syringes can expose people to bloodborne infections, including HIV and hepatitis C.

Providing access to sterile supplies can:

🩺 Reduce the risk of transmitting HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne infections.

💉 Help ensure a sterile syringe is available for each injection.

🗑️ Provide a safer way to dispose of used syringes rather than leaving them in public spaces or household trash.

🤝 Create opportunities for people to connect with healthcare, testing, naloxone, peer support, treatment, and other resources.

And there's evidence behind this approach.

Research has found that syringe services programs are associated with reductions in HIV and hepatitis C transmission. Research has also shown that providing appropriate syringe-disposal options can reduce improperly discarded syringes in the community.

Risk reduction does not mean giving up on recovery.

It means recognizing that a person's life and health matter right now, while keeping the door open for whatever their next step may be.

Every returned syringe represents an opportunity:

➡️ An opportunity to prevent infection.
➡️ An opportunity to protect our community.
➡️ An opportunity to have a conversation.
➡️ An opportunity to offer Narcan.
➡️ An opportunity to connect someone with our Peer Support Specialist or Recovery Coach.
➡️ An opportunity for recovery.

To everyone who has trusted us enough to utilize these services:

Thank you.

More than 100 syringes safely collected in 30 days is something our entire community can celebrate. 💜

Safer supplies. Safer disposal. Stronger connections. Healthier communities.

All Things Coalition
Connection. Support. Recovery.
📞 423-254-0588

Evidence-based information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).