Mike Thorton meets with Lu Funk, Founder and Director of Cochise Harm Reduction, highlights the organization’s efforts in providing essential harm reduction services in rural Arizona. This is Volume One of a series, with two community members dialoging. At its heart, the series explores how harm reduction, the opioid overdose crisis, community care, and the stigma around addiction and homelessness all intersect. In Vol. One, Funk emphasizes the importance of addressing drug use through a compassionate, health-focused approach rather than solely relying on abstinence-based treatment.
“Everyone deserves love, compassion, and healthcare,” Funk states, underlining the organization’s mission to support marginalized individuals who use drugs. They describe how Cochise Harm Reduction has evolved from an underground needle exchange program to a comprehensive service provider, offering resources such as fentanyl test strips, wound care supplies, and mobile outreach.
Funk also touches on the unique challenges of rural harm reduction, noting, “We’re pioneering rural harm reduction efforts, which are rare compared to urban programs.” The organization’s work has garnered significant community support, with Funk sharing that participants often refer to them as “the people’s people,” reflecting the trust and rapport they’ve built within the community.
Original Air Date: March 17th, 2023