WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - The Wichita community is taking a step forward in raising more awareness about the impact of the opioid crisis in our state. On Thursday, a conference was held where health care professionals, law enforcement, and community members came to address the epidemic of opioid misuse and overdose. The conference, now in its eighth year, is focused on combating the rising number of opioid and stimulant overdoses in the state. Organizers said this year focused on harm reduction strategies as well as addressing the stigma surrounding substance use. "It's really important that we really give them a tool to be safe while using substances to give them a chance to move into recovery. So this is why you see a lot of our harm reduction efforts like naloxone, fentanyl test strips, things like that because, again, giving people the opportunity to move towards treatment and recovery is critical as part of the response to overdose," said Chrissy Mayer, DCCCA's chief community-based services officer. Mom of 1-year-old fentanyl victim puts up billboard in Wichita Mayer says this conference is just a small part of the fight against opioids and that we all need to do our part in raising awareness, breaking the stigma and learning more about the issue. Two people who presented at the conference had a clear message: Change is possible, and there is hope. For Nick Casarona, the word hope stands for "Hold On. Pain Ends." "Seven years later, I've got an amazing career. I've got an amazing wife, amazing kids," he said. Years ago, life was dark, and uncertainty loomed as Casarona was addicted to opioid drugs he was initially prescribed after a traumatic injury. He then began misusing them. "Started to not perform well at work and lose the material things, lose relationships. All of a sudden, those people that I always wanted to be around me didn't want to be around me," he said. Casarona struggled for many years, still able to get a master's degree and hold down a job, but after multiple arrests on drug charges, he was introduced to the recovery community. "I was afforded the opportunity to go to treatment and get connected to recovery systems and to the services that are readily available that I knew nothing about," he said. Just like Casarona, Chasity Shaffer was also given the opportunity for which she'll forever be grateful. Fentanyl found inside dolphins in Gulf of Mexico "I was forced into recovery. I had a probation officer that said, 'You're going to go to treatment, or you're going to go back to prison,'" said Shaffer. She says she got clean, but it took a full year for her to realize her commitment to living a sober life. "I have 10 years clean from all substances," said Shaffer." I'm active in the recovery community. I'm a peer supervisor and on other committees. I couldn't ask for a better life than I have today." Both say breaking the stigma around addiction and investing in support and resources is key. "I've been there, you know, and being able to share a little bit of mine can help them not feel judged or stigmatized or ashamed, and that is one of my goals of what I do," said Shaffer. "It's really just being compassionate, empathetic, and just walking the journey with them and letting them know you're there. You understand you've been there, but not trying to push or pull," said Casarona. Mayer says she hopes events like this conference inspire people and try their best to help those who are struggling in a nonjudgmental manner. Whether it's for a family member, friend, co-worker, or for yourself, there is help out there for anyone experiencing drug addiction. Click here to find a list.