USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear Governor Sanders,
My name is Michelle Atchison. I lost my son, Austin Samples, at 24 years old on
June 11, 2018.
Austin has an identical twin, Blake. It has been a very hard road for our family to lose
Austin. Austin was the clown in our family, the glue that held us together. Austin, at the
young age of 17, came to me one day and wanted my signature so that he could serve
his state. Austin wanted to enlist in the Army Reserves.
Once in, his MOS was Infantry division. He absolutely loved the military. His 5th year in
he contracted spinal meningitis. Austin was in Arkansas Children’s Hospital for several
weeks. He came home prescribed valium and pain medications. Once his treatment
was completed, he was hooked.
Austin started to do drugs at this point. The Army sent him to a rehab facility. We really
thought he was clean and doing well. Then his wife was visited by the Sheriff’s Office.
Austin had been poisoned and died. He thought he was getting cocaine and got 100%
fentanyl.
In Arkansas, we have lost so many souls to addiction. We need to make a stand and do
something about this. Please consider supporting us by allowing Drug Epidemic
Memorial Wall’s request of placing a memorial in our state capitol.
Thank you,
Michelle Atchison
Hot Springs, Arkansas
65