Lauren Carr

Lauren Carr is the Executive Director of Graves County Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention. She is also a part of the Kentucky Income Reinvestment Program through the University of Kentucky Healthcare Ryan White Program. Lauren began working in this field in 2015 after her brother passed away from a fentanyl overdose. Four 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 presenting and passing the first syringe exchange program in Western Kentucky. She now works in harm reduction, preventing the spread of infectious disease such as Hepatitis C and HIV, breaking down the shame and stigma associated with addiction, and advocating for individuals with a substance use disorder.