KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The battle against opioid abuse has been raging across Tennessee — especially its rural counties — for decades. Now, a program from the University of Tennessee is working to create more safe havens for those recovering from addiction in the area.

Specifically, UT’s COURAGE initiative is focusing on Cocke County, Union County and Claiborne County. It’s using faith-based communities to help people using drugs and in recovery.

However, the program isn’t just battling addiction. It’s battling the stigma that comes with it as well.

“A lot of times we’ll reach out to faith leaders, and they really don’t want to hear anything about this,” Kyle Prichard told WVLT News. “There’s so much stigma attached to substance use disorder.”

Prichard is the lead pastor at The Hill Church in Tazwewell. The church works with UT to make sure it’s a safe space for anyone, even those dealing with addiction.

“I believe that’s what a recovery-friendly church is called to do, but we have to learn how to do that,” he said.

Joe Hoffman is the executive director of Live Free Claiborne, a nonprofit working with The Hill Church to provide harm reduction services, like clean needle exchanges.

“One of the things we’ve heard, we’ve been called the druggie church before, we’ve been called all sorts of things, but honestly it goes back to that’s okay,” he said.

It’s a sign that the stigma of drug use is getting in the way of helping people who suffer from addiction. It’s also why Prichard is mentoring other faith leaders.

“It’s a struggle sometimes, getting faith leaders involved in this,” he said. “Here’s what I can say: the ones that do get involved come out on the other side of it on fire and ready to love people and ready to be there for people.”

So far, The Hill says they’re seeing a lot of success and hoping to get other churches involved.