Local nonprofit formed after fentanyl death urges more education, Narcan distribution and scholarships

Laura Thurman told the Shepherdsville City Council about Morgan’s Mission, a family-led nonprofit the Thurman family founded after their daughter Morgan died of a fentanyl-laced cocaine overdose in February 2022.

Thurman said Morgan had not been a person with a known substance-use disorder and that the family’s experience showed the lethality of fentanyl in drugs sold or used casually. She described Morgan’s Mission activities: public education in schools and recovery centers, a memorial walk/rally that includes Narcan distribution and training, mobile outreach and clothing/hygiene drives for people experiencing homelessness, and annual scholarships for high school and trade-school students who write about how drugs have affected their lives.

Why it matters: Thurman emphasized that fentanyl contamination can affect people who experiment only once and that community education, Narcan availability and family outreach can save lives. She asked the city to partner where helpful and noted the group can supply Narcan.

Details Thurman gave - Outreach and education: Thurman described repeated classroom presentations (eight classes in one school day) and briefings at recovery centers so people in treatment hear first-person accounts and risk messages. - Narcan and outreach: Morgan’s Mission distributes Narcan and has advocated for Narcan machines in public spaces; the organization also partners with Walk on Water Ministry for downtown outreach and clothing/hygiene distribution. - Scholarships and memorial work: The nonprofit is in its third year of giving scholarships to Bullitt East, Bullitt Central, North Bullitt and the vocational tech school; award eligibility requires an essay about drugs’ effects or prevention ideas. Thurman said volunteers review applications anonymously and that scholarship narratives show substantial local need.

Council response and follow-up: Council members thanked Thurman and offered to help circulate information. One council member asked Thurman for her view on a possible forthcoming vote about medical marijuana dispensaries; Thurman said she was conflicted, citing concerns about youth access and perceived signals the availability might send to children, but said she would support robust public education before any vote.

Direct quotation from the meeting: - "I stand before you not just as your community planner, but as a fellow citizen who recognizes the deep sacrifices made by the men and women who have served this country," — opening phrasing used by another speaker during a different item; regarding Morgan’s Mission, Thurman said, "We just want them to know that their child's not forgotten because as an angel mom, we're always scared. Our child's gonna be forgotten." (verbatim from the public remarks portion.)

Next steps: Thurman said Morgan’s Mission will share materials via social media and can provide Narcan to the city upon request. Council members offered further partnership and outreach possibilities.