Charmin Gabbard

Consumer Advocate

Nomination #1

Charmin has overcome so many obstacles in her own life and now takes her life experiences to help and advocate for others. She spent almost 30 years of her life in active use and in and out of incarceration. She now operates 1of 9 syringe services programs in Indiana. She loves the people she works and displays a willingness to go above and beyond no matter what it takes. When COVID19 statrted the mental Health centerwould not allow her to see participants in the building so in order to take care of the paarticipants she began doing bicycle deliveries to make sure theyhad Harm Reduction Supplies and most importantly Narcan. She is a huge advocate in Fayette County and continues to fight for change and undertsatnding for people who struggle with Substance use diorders and Mental Health. She also is involved with NAMI and volunteers to go to new Castle prison monthy to helpnewly hired prison guards and correctional staff to understand mental illness and substance use by sharing her own story. She has been able to get out over 1,000 doses of Narcan this year and the reported reversals are over 200 for Fayette County. She has started 2 peer support groups in our community all the while going to school, working and being a mom. She is the first person in her family to ever obtain a degree. She served over 10 years of her life in incarceration , never getting treated for her trauma and to day she has over 6 years in her recovery, graduated with her Bachelors in July and became a home owner. Multiple mental health diagnosis and still has no drivers license but that doesnt stop her. She also goes to the jails, prison and is the Vice President of the Fayette County Drug Coalition where she continues to advocate for change, ending stigma and the importance of multiple pathways to recovery. She is a hero to me.

Nomination #2

I would like to nominate Charmin because of the work that she has done in Fayette County and continuee to do. She is a huge advocate and has been very instrumental in implemnting recovery supports and getting individuals in our community and the surrounding communities in trained in Narcan , reversing opioid overdoses and supplying over one thousand doses of Narcan. I cant think of someone more passionate or inspiring than her. She is a lifechanger.