The Future of Substance Abuse Prevention at the 2026 Opioid Summit

Community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, law enforcement, and residents from across the region will gather on Friday, April 24, 2026, for the Sebastian County Opioid Task Force Summit, a collaborative event designed to address opioid use and strengthen prevention efforts through local, community-driven solutions.

Katie Priest, Prevention Grant Manager for Harbor House and one of the event’s lead organizers, emphasized that events like the summit are a key part of proactive, upstream prevention—equipping the community with education, awareness, and connection before crises occur and helping shape a healthier future for Sebastian County.

“As a preventionist...we look at going even further upstream so that we don't get into the next epidemic. And I think that educating people is the first step in getting our community rallied to help our community make healthy choices.”

The Sebastian County Opioid Task Force was established in 2018 following a 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment that identified substance use—particularly opioid misuse—as a critical issue requiring a coordinated community response. What began as a small group of approximately 20 members meeting at Mercy Hospital has since grown significantly. Today, the task force includes more than 80 members and continues to expand, reflecting both increased community engagement and a deepening commitment to addressing substance use across Sebastian County.

That growth has been fueled by a commitment to collaboration and inclusivity—core themes that will shape this year’s summit. Katherine Krueger, Drug Free Community Grant Manager for the Sebastian County Opioid Task Force, emphasized the importance of ensuring every voice is represented in the work.

“When it comes to our task force, there's a seat at the table for every single person. And we truly value different perspectives, different people who can bring their own lived knowledge and experiences to just strengthen that task force.”

The 2026 summit will feature a keynote address from Arkansas State Drug Director Tom Fisher, alongside presentations from physicians, emergency responders, law enforcement, and nonprofit leaders. A personal story from a speaker with lived experience will also highlight the human impact of substance use.

The event is co-organized by Katie Priest of Harbor House and Katherine Krueger, Drug Free Community Grant Manager for the Sebastian County Opioid Task Force, whose work helps guide implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and coalition-driven solutions.

Krueger emphasized that effective prevention must be tailored locally.

“One of the key phrases within the drug free community grant is, local problems require local solutions. And so, yes, they have a framework federally of how to do prevention work in your community. But then you get to work within your coalition to figure out, okay, what does Sebastian County need? What are we actually experiencing here? And then how do we implement change?”

This localized approach, she noted, ultimately depends on strong collaboration across sectors and individuals. Katie Priest of Harbor House emphasized that the power of the task force lies in its ability to bring people together around a shared goal.

“It just shows that when we come together and collaborate as a community, we only increase our reach and we can better help our neighbors.”

The summit will begin with a networking breakfast and exhibitor session featuring more than 25 organizations, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with local resources and services. The conference will continue through the afternoon with speakers and panel discussions covering healthcare, law enforcement, prevention, and social services.

Participation is expected to include a diverse mix of attendees—from medical professionals and social workers to nonprofit leaders, counselors, parents, and students—highlighting the shared responsibility of prevention across the community. With participants ranging from eighth-grade students to highly trained professionals, the summit is designed to create space for everyone to learn, connect, and engage in meaningful solutions together.

Beyond addressing the current opioid crisis, organizers hope the summit will inspire long-term, proactive solutions. Katie Priest of Harbor House shared her vision for what the community can build moving forward.

“I think that a hope for our summit is for us to come out of the emergency of the opioid epidemic and think about what is our future, what do we want it to look like?"

As Sebastian County continues to confront the realities of substance use, the Opioid Task Force Summit represents more than a single-day event—it is a reflection of a community choosing to come together, align resources, and take shared responsibility for prevention. By equipping individuals with knowledge, elevating local voices, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration, organizers hope this year’s summit will not only address today’s challenges, but also help build a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.

Event Details

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026

Time:
8:00–9:00 AM: Registration, breakfast, and exhibitors
9:00 AM–2:30 PM: Conference

Location: Grace Community Church, 4001 Brooken Hill Drive, Fort Smith, AR

Cost: Free (registration required)

To register or learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/14a1QdM7KGS/