Nationally renowned experts lay it on the line, discuss where we are and where we must go
TAMPA, Fla. (January 30, 2018) – The opioid epidemic, its impact on children and preventing deaths is the focal point at the 6th Annual Southeastern US Regional Drug Prevention Summit. The Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance (HCADA) and the Drug Free America Foundation will serve as hosts of the three-day event, which begins February 19 and features renowned national experts and local leaders as guest speakers.
Discussion topics will include the prevalence of the drug epidemic, which led to more than 63,000 deaths in 2016, the most lethal year yet, as well as the toll of addiction on the smallest victims. Nearly 274,000 children entered foster care in the last year, many as a result of parental addiction. It’s the most prolific wave of children affected since crack cocaine use surged in the 1980s.
The summit begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 19, at the TPepin’s Hospitality Center located at 4121 N 50th St., Tampa.
Keynote speakers include Richard Baum, acting director, the White House Office of Drug Control, Robert L. Dupont, M.D., founding president, Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., and Bertha K. Madras, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School professor.
Lineup of speakers and topics:
Opioid Epidemic: Improving Prevention and Treatment Strategies
Robert L. Dupont, M.D. founding president, Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc.
The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis: The Final Report
Bertha Madras, Ph.D., professor, Harvard Medical School
Current Drug Trends
Steve Collins, director, Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
Dangers of Adults in Illicit Opioids and Other Drugs: Its Global Impact on Overdose and Health Problems
Thom Browne, Rubicon Global Enterprises
Role of Prevention in the Opioid Crisis
Carlton Hall, Carlton Hall Consulting LLC.
Child Welfare System: Impacts of Substance Abuse
Stacee Reed and Eric Nation, National Drug Endangered Children Network
Prevention Collaborations with Special Events: EDM Music Festival
Ellen Snelling and Teresa Miller, Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, and Whitney LeGare, DACCO
A Successful County-wide Collaboration to Implement an Alcohol Harm-Reduction Program for College Students
Carlina Adame, University of Tampa, Gina Firth, associate dean of Wellness, University of Tampa, and Jorge Echeverry, University of South Florida
Substance Use Disorders and Older Adults: We need to talk!
Kent Runyon, vice president, Novus Medical Detox
Canary in the Marijuana Field: How the Fisher Illuminated the Conservation Concerns from Marijuana Cultivation on California’s Forest Lands
Mourad W. Gabriel, Ph.D., executive director, Integral Ecology Research Center and Research faculty, University of California Davis, One Health Institute
Impaired Driving: Trends and Research
Matt Nasworthy, Traffic Safety, AAA – The Auto Club Group
The cost to register is $175. For more information and to register, go to www.hcada.com, or contact Amy Ronshausen with Drug Free America Foundation at (727) 828-0210 Ext. 107 or aronshausen@dfaf.org.
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About Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance:
Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance (HCADA) has been in existence, active in the community and supportive of law enforcement, the court system, prevention agencies, and substance abuse treatment providers since its inception in 1989. In 2003, HCADA restructured as a 501(c) (3) to apply for grant funding. Subsequently, HCADA expanded its community-based alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse education and prevention activities. It participates as well in the development of related planning strategies, statewide in scope, for the betterment of the Hillsborough County community. HCADA offers open membership and participation to all interested individuals and continues to provide a public forum for sharing information and new ideas. For more information about HCADA, visit www.hcada.com.