Reducing Stigma, Advancing Evidence-Based Strategies, and Improving People's Lives
by Angela Ventura, Director of Community Based Strategies for United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention
Addiction is one of the pressing public health challenges of our time. It touches every community, every family, and every sector of society. From the devastating rise in opioid overdoses to the extensive effects on mental health, housing stability, and employment, this crisis demands urgent, coordinated solutions.
Recognizing this need, United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention launched the South Florida Addiction Prevention & Solutions Summit — an annual gathering designed to spark dialogue, share innovations, and inspire action.
United Way Broward has long been a leader in addressing behavioral health and substance use issues in South Florida. Through our Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention, we have built a wide range of partnerships with healthcare providers, educators, law enforcement, policymakers, and community advocates. The South Florida Addiction Prevention & Solutions Summit is a natural extension of our work in this field, offering a national stage for local leadership.
At this solutions-focused convening, experts from different fields identify problems, explore actionable strategies, and help ensure people are benefiting from the latest research, best practices, and innovative approaches for addiction prevention and recovery.
Each year, the summit highlights critical issues shaping the addiction landscape. Among the recurring themes are:
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The human and financial cost of overdoses: Beyond the tragic loss of life, overdoses carry enormous economic costs for healthcare systems, employers, and communities. The summit underscores the urgency of prevention by quantifying these impacts and exploring cost-effective interventions.
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Prevention strategies: From school-based education programs to community-wide campaigns, prevention remains a cornerstone of the summit’s agenda. Speakers emphasize evidence-based approaches for reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors, particularly among young people.
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Innovative treatment models: Addiction is a complex disease requiring multifaceted solutions. The summit highlights new treatment modalities, including medication-assisted treatment, integrated behavioral health care, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
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Stigma reduction: One of the great barriers to recovery is stigma. The summit highlights campaigns and initiatives to humanize addiction, promote empathy, and encourage individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.
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Policy and systems change: Sustainable solutions require alignment across local, state, and national policies. The summit provides a forum for policymakers to discuss legislation, funding priorities, and regulatory frameworks to support prevention and recovery.
One of the summit’s great strengths is its ability to convene diverse stakeholders. Healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, educators, business leaders, and community advocates all come together under one roof. This cross-sector collaboration is essential because addiction intersects with housing stability, employment, criminal justice, and education. Solutions therefore must be holistic and coordinated.
For example, law enforcement agencies share insights on diversion programs to steer individuals away from incarceration and toward treatment. Employers discuss workplace policies to support recovery and reduce stigma. Educators highlight school-based prevention initiatives to build resilience among students. By weaving these perspectives together, the summit fosters a comprehensive approach to addiction solutions.
The 3rd Annual South Florida Addiction Prevention & Solutions Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. Building on the success of the previous events, the upcoming summit will delve deeper into the cost of preventable overdoses, explore new prevention methods, and highlight innovative strategies for addressing addiction at scale.
This year, we are honored to welcome Kevin A. Sabet, PhD as our keynote speaker. Dr. Sabet is an internationally recognized expert on drug policy, an advisor to three U.S. presidential administrations, president and CEO of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and SAM, and a widely published author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Newsweek.
Topics for this year’s summit include:
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data-sharing systems supporting evidence-based responses to substance misuse
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the importance of addressing systemic gaps, community-level challenges, and what is not working today
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novel and promising actionable strategies addressing current challenges and trends
Attendees can expect inspiring speakers, fireside chats, interactive breakout sessions, and networking opportunities that encourage collaboration long after the summit ends. The South Florida Addiction Prevention & Solutions Summit matters because addiction is both a medical issue and a societal challenge requiring collective action. It equips participants with tools and insights they can bring to the people and communities they support.
Every overdose prevented, every stigma reduced, and every life reclaimed through recovery strengthens the fabric of our community. By convening leaders and innovators at the 3rd Annual National Addiction Solutions Summit, United Way Broward is empowering individuals and communities, transforming despair into determination and isolation into collaboration, and reshaping the narrative around addiction and recovery.
Join us as we connect, learn, and work together to prevent addiction and create sustainable solutions. Register for the National Addiction Solutions Summit by clicking here.