The United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention is set to host the 2nd Annual National Addiction Solutions Summit on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton. Registration opens at 8:30 AM.
Engaging Discussions on Overdose Prevention and Innovative Strategies
The summit will feature multiple expert-led discussions addressing the cost of preventable overdoses and solutions for new prevention and innovative strategies to combat addiction.
Dr. Stephen Loyd, Director of the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy and a leading voice in the fight against the opioid crisis, will serve as the event’s moderator. Dr. Loyd, whose work inspired the Hulu series Dopesick, will guide discussions throughout the event, providing key insights on national efforts to tackle substance use disorders.
Who Should Attend?
The event invites community organizations, state and national public health leaders, academics, local, state, and national elected officials, and business owners from across the country. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore innovative solutions, cutting-edge strategies, the latest research, and breakthrough medications for treating substance use disorders.
Event Focus
A series of expert-led discussions and panels will address preventable overdoses and offer actionable solutions, including innovative prevention methods and future-focused strategies. Topics of discussion will include:
- States Sharing Data
- First Responder Policies for Addiction
- Innovative Solutions to Addiction Treatment
- Prevention Strategies for Substance Use
- Overcoming the Challenges of Public-Private Partnerships
Featured Speakers and Panelists
The summit will feature leading voices in addiction prevention, treatment, and policy, including:
- Maria Hernandez – Chief Program Officer, United Way of Broward
- Dr. Rahul Gupta – Former Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy (2021-2025)
- Jonathan Board – West Virginia First Foundation Opioid Abatement Commission
- Mark York – Founder, Addiction Abatement, Inc.
- Burton Leblanc, Esq. – Partner, Baron & Budd (Lead Opioid Litigation Firm)
- Johnathon Holth – Executive Director, North Dakota Opioid Abatement Commission
- Jared Koski – Senior Data Analytics Advisor, Lightstream Group
- Dr. Christine Caufield – CEO, Executive VP – SAMH LSF Health Systems, Inc.
- Jasmine Sibai – CDC Foundation, Public Health Analyst and Overdose Strategy
- Dave Aronberg – Former State Attorney, Palm Beach County; Former Florida Senator
- Mark Skeffington – Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Miami Field Division, Drug Enforcement Administration
- Harold Pryor – Broward County State Attorney
- Dr. Tom Takubo – West Virginia State Senator; Executive VP, West Virginia University Medicine
- Jayson Uffens – Chief Technology Officer, GATC Health
- Dr. Amber Deckard, Psy. D – Director of Neuropsychological and Psychological Services, Caron Foundation
- Dr. Orlando Mareno – Clinical Director, GIA Healthcare
- Jeff Horwitz – Chief of Staff, Safe Project
- Linda Richter – Senior VP, Prevention, Research & Analysis, Partnership to End Addiction
- Stefanie Davis – General Counsel, Legal Services Council
- Danny Scalise – Director of Public Health, Burke County, North Carolina
WHEN: Wednesday, February 19th | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
WHERE: Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton | 3555 S Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
DETAILS: To register, please visit https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/event/national-addiction-solutions-summit/
Continental Breakfast and lunch provided.
Garage Parking: $15
Valet Parking: $30
About United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention
United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Behavioral Health and Drug Prevention is a broad-based substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion coalition dedicated to reducing negative consequences on individuals, families, and communities. Today, its primary role is to serve as a coalition-building organization that brokers partnerships between federal, state and local agencies to foster, develop, and enhance integrated behavioral health efforts throughout Broward County, while searching for innovative and effective ways to address the issue of substance misuse. The Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention is a vital component of United Way of Broward County’s three impact areas (health, education and financial prosperity) focused on the solutions to close gaps in services and create a better life for all. For more information, please visit www.drugfreebroward.org or follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/uwbccommission or on Twitter/Instagram @UWBC_Commission.
The National Addiction Solutions Summit will serve as a vital platform for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to collaborate on effective, forward-thinking strategies in the ongoing battle against addiction. For more information, visit www.drugfreebroward.org.
