Frontline leaders unite at South Carolina’s 2024 Opioid & Addiction Summit
April 29, 2024
South Carolina will host the Governor’s Opioid and Addiction Summit April 30 and May 1, uniting stakeholders from various sectors to fortify the battle against addiction and opioid misuse. Held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, this event promises to be a milestone gathering for behavioral health professionals, law enforcement, healthcare workers, state and local government representatives, and community advocates dedicated to curbing the addiction crisis.
“The toll of addiction on our communities is a stark reminder of the work ahead,” said Governor Henry McMaster, who expressed his support in his commitment to a healthier and safer South Carolina. “This summit is a beacon of hope, lighting the path to recovery and resilience. Together, we can turn the tide against this crisis.”
Sponsored by the Office of the Governor and the South Carolina Center of Excellence in Addiction, the Summit is a collaborative effort to address the critical issue of addiction. Jodi Manz, MSW, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence, emphasizes the importance of innovative approaches, stating, “It is imperative that we leverage every ounce of knowledge and every innovative practice to dismantle the barriers to treatment and recovery. The Summit is where theory meets action, and together we create solutions.”
Over two days, attendees will engage in a series of plenary sessions that examine current drug trends and the transformation of the illicit opioid market, with implications for public health. The agenda boasts over 30 breakout sessions that promise dynamic discussions on topics pertinent to tackling the opioid epidemic.
A highlight of the Summit will be the Governor’s Awards Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, in the Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall. During this event, Governor McMaster will recognize South Carolina physicians who have championed the science of addiction medicine by treating the disease of addiction medically, as well as local fire departments that are leading the state saving lives by firefighters’ administration of naloxone to individuals experiencing an opioid overdose.
“This Summit is not just a conference; it’s a lifeline,” said South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) Director Sara Goldsby. “It’s where compassion converges with action, where we renew our collective commitment to save lives and support those grappling with addiction.”
For more information, visit www.scopioidsummit.org.
About the South Carolina Center of Excellence in Addiction
The S.C. Center of Excellence in Addiction was established in 2023 to maximize the state’s substance use disorder resources and develop innovative approaches to addressing the overdose fatality crisis in South Carolina. The Center’s collaborators include Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. The Center is supported by funding from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund, state budget funding, and other grant funding. Learn more about the Center at addictioncenterofexcellence.sc.gov.
About DAODAS
The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) is the South Carolina government agency charged with ensuring quality services to prevent or reduce the negative consequences of substance use and addictions through a statewide system of local substance abuse agencies that provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services. For more information, visit www.daodas.sc.gov.
