Combating the Opioid Epidemic as a Nation and around the World

Moderator(s)

• • 

    G. Davy Kneessy, MS, MAC, MCAP, LMHC

    Conference Chair and Regional Director
    Central Florida Treatment Centers

Keynote Speaker(s)

• • 

    Donetta Spears

    Deputy Assistant Administrator
    Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration
  • 

    General Barry McCaffrey, United States Army (Retired)

    President
    BR McCaffrey Associates LLC
  • 

    Mark Parrino, MPA

    President
    AATOD, Inc.

Speaker(s)

• 

  Dinita Smith, MSW, LCADC

  2021 AATOD Conference Chair and Clinic Director
  Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research

The Closing Plenary Session will feature two dynamic keynote addresses that conference attendees will not want to miss. Donetta Spears, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the DEA will discuss some of the issues that are impacting providers today but will also focus on a broader picture of issues that are trending throughout the country. Ms. Spears will speak to how the DEA is working with other federal agencies and provider groups, such as AATOD, to help address the challenges that our country continues to face in dealing with the opioid epidemic. As a wrap up to the conference. Ms. Spears discussion detailing the issues that the DEA is prioritizing is a great send off as providers return to their facilities and determine the future of their strategic planning. General Barry McCaffrey will be our final keynote speaker. The years of experience as the Drug Czar under President Clinton, General McCaffrey’s insight is valuable in understanding how the opioid epidemic has changed over the years, how as a nation we have had to adapt to change to meet the needs of the community, current policies impacting our field and how federal and state agencies have to work across a continuum of care to effect change that will have long lasting impact around the world.

Passing the Baton: Announcement of the 2021 Conference
Mr. Dave Kneessy and Mr. Mark Parrino will hand off the baton to Ms. Dinita Smith, who will be the 2021 Conference Chair in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify practical approaches in addressing the opioid epidemic;
• Describe the public health and public safety approach to combating the opioid abuse; and
• Describe how the nation and countries across the world are responding to the opioid epidemic.