Arkansas Volunteer Spotlight: Chassity Morgan

End Overdose's work in Arkansas is made possible by volunteers working tirelessly across the state. Some of them are training attendees at festivals on how to respond to an overdose, while others are packing naloxone kits in our office well into the evening hours. We want to shine a light on the people whose efforts make our resources free and accessible to all, so we’re excited to share our Arkansas Volunteer of the Week: Chassity Morgan!

"Chassity was our first volunteer and is incredibly committed. We would not be where we are without her," says Arkansas Outreach & Fulfillment Coordinator Sierra Jeans.

To hear all about Chassity and her time with End Overdose, read our full conversation below!

Can you tell us about yourself and your story?

I’m a Texas native who grew up in a small town. As an adult I’ve lived in Arkansas for 10 years and worked in healthcare as a pharmacy technician for about 8 now as well as a freelance videographer or bands and events. I’ve been around drug users a long time. I’ve never been someone who dabbled in recreational drug use but that does mean it’s not still something to be aware of. Taking a pain medication as prescribed by the doctor I still lost consciousness and went into respiratory depression (my breathing got shallow and gurgled). Luckily I was on the phone with my mom who was able to call my friends who got me awake and alert. That’s a scary moment I never thought I’d be in. 

What inspired you to volunteer for End Overdose?

When I first heard about End Overdose I thought “this is perfect." As someone who works around people to use or dabble, I find it’s almost my responsibility to make sure I’m equipped to help is necessary. Not only that but educating the public on resources and response for opioid overdose is something so vital. As someone is health care I see so many people who think it will never happen to them or they don’t know anyone who they need to watch for but that’s not true. The more people who know and can be prepared for the worst the better and I jumped at the chance to be apart of that. 

What’re your favorite memories of volunteering with End Overdose?

My favorite memories with End Overdose have to be how much fun we have volunteering at events and the amount of people we get to meet. I’ve gotten to have a lot of conversations with people about how naloxone saved them or their family member and how it kick started their journey to sobriety. As someone who loves people that’s the best part. There hasn’t been an event yet where we aren’t laughing and smiling. 

What do you hope to see for the future of End Overdose in Arkansas?

There is so much I’m hoping to see in Arkansas in the future with this organization. More people caring naloxone in their car or on their person, more people willing to be educated. I’m personally pushing for my company to partner with End Overdose to make it a part of their onboarding training so that every technician and associate can know how to help someone in need if/when the time comes. Mostly I hope to see the state come together as a community to reduce the mortality rate or opioid overdose as a whole. If even one person is given another chance at life it is all worth it. Because as we say, no one else has to die.