COLUMBIA, S.C. — The 2024 Governor's Opioid and Addiction Summit kicked off Tuesday, a two-day event aimed at bringing together people from multiple agencies and disciplines to combat addiction and opioid misuse.
Over 700 people came to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for the event. It helps connect people from fields such as law enforcement and healthcare, allowing them to share insights, strategies, and best practices to address addiction.
Among the attendees was Dr. Victor Archambeau, who shared his journey of recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse spanning over three decades. Dr. Archambeau began treating addiction after his own recovery, and said lived experiences can help make connections with people seeking recovery.
"I reached a point where I just realized it was taking over my life and I had to give it up," said Dr. Archambeau. "The thing is, with people coming into recovery, somebody who has read a book about it, they can't really relate, but someone who has actually been there like I have, we can actually make that connection."
Despite his both lived and academic knowledge, Dr. Archambeau said there always has to be continued collaboration and learning. "The fact that I have been doing 30 years of it doesn't mean I know everything. There is still a lot for me to learn. And I think a little bit that I can contribute too."
Jodi Manz, Executive Director for the SC Center of Excellence and Addiction, said it's important to hear from people with different areas of expertise. "Having people from law enforcement, healthcare, people with lived experience, people in recovery, people who are working at a local level all coming together to talk about the best practices is really a beautiful thing and an amazing thing for South Carolina," said Manz.
South Governor Henry McMaster spoke at the luncheon and echoed that sentiment. "If we communicate, collaborate, and cooperate, you unleash the magic," McMaster said.
Dr. Archambeau said he hoped that the resources and information shared would empower others to embark on their own paths to recovery. "I never say I got a second chance at life, I say I got a chance at a second life," he said.
Registration for the summit is now closed, and walk-ins will not be accepted for the remaining sessions.