More than a dozen organizations are partnering to hold the HOPE (Healing, Opportunities and Possibilities to Empower) Family Drug Summit for West Virginians affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) to connect and share information.
On Jan. 15, with sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m., substance use disorder experts, individuals and family members impacted by SUD will gather at the University of Charleston to exchange information, resources and support.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Will Thompson says he wants attendees to come away from the summit with a better understanding of how addiction works and resources to help themselves or others.
“We’re also hoping that people who come and attend will be part of the solution,” he said. “Where they’ll be able to make contacts with one another, or they’ll see that, ‘Hey, I’m not alone in my struggles.’ You know, this is someone else whose son or daughter is also struggling with this, or how do I raise my grandkids now? Whatever the case might be, to give them a better understanding.”
Thompson said there are continuing education credits available to earn at the summit, but he thinks everyone could learn something from attending.
“I hope the community comes, even if they’re not getting the continuing education credits, it’s something I think anybody who has any interest in all, I think will gain a lot,” Thompson said. “In fact, I’m looking forward to hearing from some of the speakers myself and I’ve been dealing with the addiction crisis for basically my entire career that started in 1995.”
Attendance at the daylong summit is free and in-person only. Attendees have to register online ahead of the event.