15th anniversary meeting, April 6-9 in Nashville, brings together stakeholders ‘from federal to family’ responding to illicit drug use.
By Tom Vicini, President and CEO
Operation UNITE
No single sector can respond alone to our communities’ ongoing substance misuse crisis.
As President and CEO of Operation UNITE, I see that reality every day, and it is why our role as the educational partner of the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit matters, especially as the meeting returns to Nashville, April 6 to 9, 2026 for its 15th anniversary.
This partnership exists to bring the right people together and help them take action. The urgency has not slowed, and neither can the response.
What Is Rx Summit?
Rx Summit is a national meeting focused on addressing prescription drug misuse and illicit drug use through coordinated, cross-sector strategies. It brings together stakeholders “from federal to family,” including clinicians, public health leaders, law enforcement, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations working across prevention, treatment, recovery, and public safety.
For attendees, that means exposure to real-world approaches that reflect how communities are actually responding today. You are not learning in isolation, and that changes the value of every session.
A Partnership Built for Real-World Impact
Operation UNITE’s work has always centered on collaboration. We focus on prevention, treatment access, recovery support, and law enforcement coordination because no single approach is enough on its own.
As the educational partner of Rx Summit, we help ensure the meeting reflects that same model. The content is designed to connect disciplines, challenge assumptions, and move beyond theory into practical application.
This is what makes our partnership important for attendees. You are gaining insight that is shaped by real implementation, not just discussion. I encourage you to attend our breakout session:
- KY HELP Statewide Call Center, Powered by Operation UNITE: A Coordinated Response in Bridging the Gap to Substance Use Treatment Services in Kentucky
Tuesday, April 7, 1:15 - 2:30 PM.
This session examines how a statewide call center connects individuals and families to treatment and support. It offers a practical model for improving access and coordination that can be adapted in other communities.
Why Attend the Rx Summit in Nashville?
You will leave with strategies you can apply immediately, and you will also build connections that extend beyond the meeting. Those relationships often become the foundation for stronger, more coordinated responses back home.
At Operation UNITE, we see this impact firsthand. Our no-cost K-12 prevention programming has reached students in 91 of Kentucky’s 120 counties from 2023 to 2025, and that kind of reach is only possible through sustained collaboration.
You will see that same collaborative model throughout Rx Summit. It shows up in the sessions, the conversations, and the shared commitment to doing the work better.
Why Rx Summit Matters Now
The challenges communities face continue to evolve. That makes it even more important to learn from models already working and to connect with people solving similar problems.
Rx Summit creates that environment. Our partnership helps ensure it stays focused on practical solutions that attendees can take home and implement.
Event Details
- Event: Rx and Illicit Drug Summit
- Dates: April 6 to 9, 2026
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Learn more on the event website
- Registration rates and information
Tom Vicini is President and CEO of Operation UNITE, where he leads statewide efforts focused on prevention, treatment access, and recovery support.