Cody’s Gift is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and prevent substance use disorders as well as raise the awareness on mental health issues and coping skills.

Our goal is to eradicate incorrect stereotypes and stigmatize in these areas, raise the level of knowledge and create dialogue on these topics. Our motto is knowledge is power and if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

All proceeds pay for website costs, transportation, and recovery help for those in need.

Jim Marshall speaking to kids group

Jim Marshall

Substance Use Prevention Speaker & Advocate, Educator, Teacher and Coach

I’m a 38-year educator—middle school, high school, college teacher, and coach.

I currently run a not for profit organization called Cody’s Gift. It is a mental health first aid and substance use prevention education group. I have traveled around the state and out-of-state the last seven years. (See pamphlet for the places I have presented and testimonials). I have presented at all-school assemblies, teacher professional development days, classes, parent meetings, conferences, hospital lunch and learns, and college wellness center talks. We have an alarming increase in depression, anxiety, substance use, addiction, and suicide amongst adolescents. How bad is it? Here are a few statistics:

30 percent of all teens suffer from clinical depression or PTSD before high school graduation.
Suicide and substance use has increased 70 percent the last ten years.
A person (primarily 18–25) dies of an overdose every 8 minutes.
Every 15 minutes a child is born with neonatal opioid issues.
10 percent of teenagers have parents who suffer from addiction.
One out of every three families have a family member with addiction.
6 million grandfamilies exist due to the opioid epidemic. (Grandparents raising grandchildren)
1 out of 3 teens suffer severe depression before graduation.

We are addressing it some in schools, but not near the amount needed to combat the level this epidemic has hit. When you combine the lack of dialogue at home, with the lack of it in school curriculum, you have many kids making choices without enough knowledge to know what are healthy coping skills and unhealthy coping skills. My program includes the story of my son, whom I lost at age 20 to these issues. It also includes two former athletes of mine and a close family friend.

The goals of my presentation are:

Raise the level of knowledge on depression, anxiety, stress, coping skills, self-medication, substance use dangers.
To create dialogue between student and parent, student and counselor or teacher, and student to student after they have heard the presentation.
To help students understand addiction issues and recovery so they view those with this disease in a different light.
To destigmatize mental health issues and addiction so our youth are more inclined to ask for help or view family members in a more positive light.

I tell students and parents, “Knowledge is power, ignorance is the opposite”. As we gain more correct knowledge, we make better choices and become less judgmental. Our youth need to understand they control their choices but not the consequences. Studies show that if our youth do not abuse a substance before age 18, there is an 80 percent chance they will never develop an addiction. Just as Drivers Education diminishes fatality rates of our youth, so too does abstinence from substance abuse through prevention. I would love to be your facilitator in helping your students walk around these hurricanes instead of into them.

Cody’s Gift Flier Jim Marshall One Sheet

Jim Marshall’s Resume

To educate, motivate and challenge young people and parents

Education

Southwest Missouri State University now MSU – Springfield, MO
Bachelor in Science of Education 7-12 Phys. Ed and Social Studies 1980
Masters in Education Lincoln University 1988
Certified Personal Trainer National Academy of Sports Medicine and A.F.A.A. (American Fitness and Aerobics Assn) 2010

Experience

A proven leader with 36 years teaching experience and coaching

1980-81 Kickapoo High School teacher and coach – Springfield, MO
1981-1985 North Callaway High School teacher and coach – Kingdom City, MO
1985-2010 Jefferson City High School teacher and coach – Jefferson City, MO
2009-2010 Personal Trainer and sales at Wilson’s Fitness – Jefferson City, MO
2010-2016: Westminster College cross country/track coach and teacher
2016-present: William Woods University Head Track Coach and Cross Country Coach
2010-present: Cody’s Gift nonprofit founder; Speaking and presenting at schools, hospitals, workshops, conferences; Lobbying at Capital for substance abuse bills. Good Sam Law and Prescription monitoring ordinances.

Positions Held

Missouri State High School Activities Assn. State Track and Cross Country Advisory Board President 2000 and 2003
President of Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association

Skills

I excel at building relationships with young people, teaching them lessons for life, through athletics , the classroom or Presentation/speaking

Recognitions and Accomplishments

High School Coach & Educator:

36 cross country district tiles in cross country, 42 district titles in track, 16 top four finishes in state cross country, 24 top four finishes in state track and 9 state championships in both sports
3 times Missouri High School Coach of the Year
2006 Inducted into Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame
2010 American Red Cross Central Missouri Educator of the Year
2013 Inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Springfield Missouri as a legendary program. Jefferson City Track
2014 Drug Free Youth Substance Abuse Educator of the Year

College Coach:

4 conference titles in track and cross country
4 All American performers
Conference Coach of the Year honor four times

Substance Abuse Prevention Educator/Speaker :

I have spoken at 650 schools, conferences, workshops, churches, town hall meetings, to date

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships help defray costs such as creating literature, webinars, scholarships for those in need of counseling or rehab, travel expenses, website expenses as well as general office expenses.

Become a Sponsor

My son Cody passed away in 2011 of an overdose. Through his generosity, he gave his organs to others so that they may live. With my nonprofit speaking and presentations, I too give, hence the name – Cody’s Gift.

Jim Marshall holds a picture of his son, Cody Marshall, at the Capitol. Cody died of a drug overdose. Photo by Shelby Kardell /News Tribune.

Cody’s Story

Cody graduated in May 2010. His best friends all left for college. Cody had not applied himself hard enough to get into the traditional college setting, so he was saving money up to attend a technical school. Cody adopted a new set of friends, that were beyond the beginning experimental stages of substance use.. He worked factory job, after factory job, continually as a temp worker. He was always short of money, without a car after totaling his, and not happy with his life. Cody decided to experiment with substances that made him feel better about himself as he was suffering from depression.

He denied needing help, although we did take him to a specialist for treatment. His moods changed, we found things missing from the house, mistruths were uncovered, yet he denied he had a problem. Suggestions for substance use help were rebuked, as well as thinking about the military.

September 25, 2011 we were out of town and Cody was home alone, I worried. I came home to an unconscious son, on our living room floor, he had overdosed on xanex and heroin. I was able to revive him with CPR, but two days later he suffered a brain death due to the long period without oxygen. His supposed friends picked him up, got high with him, and then dropped him off alone at home while overdosing. Cody was a trusting boy and that was his downfall to the end… he trusted the wrong people and made a poor choice.

I hope this story prevents others from making the same mistakes. Cody gave organs and skin tissue to 34 people. It is our goal to save people with Cody’s story as he did through his courageous donation.