Summary: Founded in 2019 by Lu Funk, Cochise Harm Reduction (CHR) began as a small, volunteer-run syringe exchange operating from the back of Funk’s car in Bisbee. What started as a personal undertaking to save lives has evolved into a countywide lifeline addressing overdose and infectious disease crises in rural southern Arizona. By 2023, CHR’s staff expanded from two to eleven people, enabling a 225% increase in participant reach and a major growth in services.
CHR provides syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, HIV/HCV testing, basic needs support, and peer navigation through both fixed and mobile outreach. Their rotating schedule brings supplies and support directly to residents in Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, and Wilcox, while a dedicated delivery line ensures access for isolated or rural participants. Clients describe CHR as a welcoming, nonjudgmental source of care, grounded in peer leadership and lived experience.
By 2025, CHR had further extended its reach by hosting the first in-person convening of the Arizona Harm Reduction Coalition in Bisbee. The event brought together peer-led harm reduction groups from across the state for workshops, funder panels, and wound-care training, underscoring CHR’s growing role as both a direct service provider and a network builder. Donations and volunteer participation remain central to sustaining their vital work countywide.