Arkansas Attorney Gen. Rutledge launches virtual prescription drug abuse summit

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Friday that the Ninth Annual Arkansas Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Summit would be held virtually on Dec. 8, 2020.

The summit, which will be held following CDC guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, will offer free training and educational opportunities for law enforcement officers, medical professionals, treatment specialists, pharmacists, educators, and family members.

“Now more than ever, Arkansans need education and training to support those with opioid addiction, and this year’s event provides the opportunity to reach even more Arkansans where they are,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I am so proud of the partnership that has been fostered from our Summit and am confident that this year’s event will have an even further reach and build on those partnerships to save lives and help end the opioid crisis.”

The summit will provide plenary sessions and breakouts and an attendee “lounge” where participants can meet and network with other attendees. All registered participants will have access to the summit’s online content for three months after the event.

Attendees will hear from Rutledge as well as Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), and John Kirtley, executive director of the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy, this year’s recipient of the National Lester Hosto Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

Breakout sessions will include topics like the neurobiology of addiction and recovery, opioid trends, the truth about prescription drugs, and recovery resources.