The Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) is a racially and ethnically diverse group composed of people living with HIV and drug use, working in addiction treatment, healthcare, education, law and other assorted areas. CRA is unique as an organization in that our work entails building one-on-one relationships with individuals affected by HIV and drug use and provide them with a wide array of options for achieving any positive change as they define it for themselves. CRA is an organization for those interested in directly serving, supporting, educating and advocating with others for reducing drug related harm.
Preventing Empty Spaces
We are very happy to be releasing the final version of our new training video on the use of injectable naloxone to reverse opioid overdose. Please check it out and share widely. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful people who participated in this project, on camera and behind the scenes.
Do you want to implement an overdose prevention and naloxone program within your agency? We can help with staff and participant training! We prioritize trainings that involve people who use drugs- we’d love to train your staff as well as participants.
News/updates
Challenging Decision
To Our Harm Reduction Community,
Due to ongoing budgetary constraints and a tenuous funding landscape, CRA has had to make the challenging decision to reduce staff and services, effective 8.15.2025.
The Passing of Karen Bigg
It is with utmost sadness that The Chicago Recovery Alliance team confirms the passing of our colleague and friend, Karen Bigg, this last Tuesday, August 22nd . Karen was a brilliant harm reductionist, advocate for people who use drugs, adoring mother to Sophie Bigg, and spouse of the late CRA founder Dan Bigg.