United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - United States Attorney John E. Kuhn Jr., in conjunction with Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Detroit Field Division, and Toni Ganzel, M.D., M.B.A., Dean of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, announced the successful completion of their first 360 Strategy Heroin and Opioid Response Summit. The one-day event was attended by more than 300 industry professionals focused on developing collaboration across every public sector combatting heroin and opioid abuse; one of Metro-Louisville’s most urgent, destructive and widespread challenges.

DEA’s Plancon stated, "Today's Summit is our latest effort as part of the DEA 360 Strategy to find new and innovative ways to address the opioid addiction epidemic and the drug trafficking it produces. By bringing together subject matter experts from prevention, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement, we are striving to find multiple pathways to reduce all opioid abuse in Louisville and the surrounding communities."

United States Attorney Kuhn emphasized, “Important and effective work is already being done to address this crisis, but we must do more. Today’s Summit brought together stakeholders to collaborate on a broad spectrum of solutions. We hope these discussions serve as a springboard for all of us to pursue new initiatives and proven interventions to help addicts, prevent new addictions and stop the illegal trafficking.”

 Speakers included Mark S. Jorrisch, M.D., a leading authority on the science of addiction, treatment and recovery; Captain Juan Colon, who developed a statewide illicit drug information sharing program with public health and public safety partners in New Jersey; Dr. Robert L. DuPont, the former head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the second White House Drug Chief who emphasized how the criminal justice system can promote effective treatment of addiction; and nationally known speaker Ivana Grahovac, whose professional work and personal journey both speak to a more compassionate approach to supporting recovering addicts.

The event incorporated panel discussions, led by experts in public health, prevention and education; first responders and law enforcement; and treatment and recovery disciplines.  Each shared their experiences with the pernicious effects of opioid and heroin addiction and frankly discussed local efforts, challenges, gaps, and potential areas for improvement. 

During the day-long conference, the audience listened to more than 30 speakers and panelists including presentations on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s DEA 360 Strategy, and supporting efforts of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of (CADCA).
 
"The Heroin and Opioid Response Summit is a critical step in addressing this devastating epidemic that knows no geographic, economic or societal boundaries because it unites several sectors of the Louisville community to collaborate on developing unique solutions and partnerships," said General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman and CEO, CADCA.  "CADCA is proud to join U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky John E. Kuhn, Jr. and the Drug Enforcement Administration in this effort."

U.S. Attorney Kuhn concluded, “Today’s Summit is intended as only one step on the long march to better, broader, stronger strategies and interventions.  Tomorrow we will continue to work together, remaining united by the common goal of ending the scourge of heroin and opioids.  Only by working together will we turn back this terrible tide and help our community heal.”