A local nonprofit centered around addiction recovery is expanding into Richland County.

Lexington’s Courage Center held a ribbon cutting at its new location in Columbia at 1535 Broad River Rd. Feb. 22. The ribbon was cut by members of the staff, led by Executive Director Randy Rush.

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann spoke at the event, touching on how the center and its services are very much needed within the community.

“You know, a lot of people don't understand addiction is not a sign of character,” Rickenmann said. “It’s a disease and you gotta have help to overcome that.”

Sara Goldsby, director of the state's Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, called the new space beautiful and what people in need of recovery services deserve. She told the crowd that this is a place that gives dignity and a sense of hope.

“Save South Carolina could not be more proud to support the work here," she said.

Rush told the Chronicle that the reason for choosing this location for the expansion was its centrality within Richland County. He explained that it is close to the interstate, the bus line and is in a spot where people from Irmo can come as well.

He said when the center looked at overdose fatality rates, the fentanyl overdose rates were highest where the center is now located.

“We worked with the sheriff's office, we worked with LRADAC to look at overdose data… and kind of pick this spot just for its centrality in the county,” he said.

Rush explained that the center bridges the gap between treatment and recovery services, stating that when people are coming out of treatment or detox, the center has certified peer-support specialists who have lived the experience there to support them.

The director said that these specialists sit down with those in recovery and come up with a “wellness recovery action plan” that is tailored to their needs. The plan will connect them to medication assisted treatment, therapy and counseling.

Rush said the services offered in Columbia and in Lexington (at 860 Park Rd.) are the same, adding that they often receive referrals from treatment facilities, churches and the criminal justice system.

“We build relationships with them so that we can bridge that gap and help people really begin their recovery journey and their families,” Rush said. “Because family recovery stands alone. your loved one may never decide to find recovery but you have to recover as a family member.”

Rush emphasized to the Chronicle that the services are free of charge for the people seeking them, joking that it’s his job to find the money.

The center is primarily grant-funded through state, federal and local sources, with other support raised by the center through fundraising, events and donors. Rush said that the Boozer family, who owns the shopping center that houses the new location, did a lot of the rehab for its new space.