Lauren Carr, BS

Lauren is from Graves County Kentucky, and graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelors of
Science in Organizational Communication. Lauren began working in the public health field in 2015 after
her brother, Justin, passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2011. After his death, it opened her eyes to
the stigma and barriers faced by people who have a substance use disorder. Ever since, Lauren has been
working in various substance use prevention initiatives and harm reduction capacities to reduce
overdose, prevent the spread of infectious disease, and advocate for Kentuckians who suffer from
substance use disorder. At her time at Graves County ASAP, she created a drug free youth coalition,
Mayfield Graves County ASAP Youth Council, which has provided evidence-based prevention strategies
to youth in the community with such events as Friday Night Done Right and You Are Loved suicide
awareness campaign. Five years ago, during a community assessment it was brought up that used
syringes were being found at various locations throughout the town. Lauren was instrumental in
researching, presenting, and passing one of the first syringe exchange program in Western Kentucky.
Lauren resides in Mayfield, KY where she is very involved with her community. She has served on
Mayfield City Council since 2020 and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends,
hiking, and tending to her houseplants.