NATIONAL DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDREN CONFERENCE NEXT WEEK
NASHVILLE – Next week, Nashville plays host to the National Drug Endangered Children Conference, taking place August 24th-27th at the Opryland Hotel. The National Alliance and Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children are hosting the annual conference this year, which features professionals and experts from across the country in the areas of law enforcement, social services, mental health, medical issues, education, and the justice system.
If you’re planning to pursue anything in the near future, or as a long-term piece, about the effects of drugs on children/ families/ communities, this will be a great opportunity to gather interviews and information about a variety of issues associated with the drug epidemic. If you intend to attend a specific session, and/or would like some time with a specific speaker before or after a session, please let us know in advance, and we can help facilitate that with the speaker and direct you to the correct room.
The full agenda can be found at https://www.tn.gov/tddtf/2021decconference.html. You are welcome to cover any of the events going on through the week. We have highlighted some of the discussions that include some topics we are often asked about, and/or have an especially compelling aspect:
Tuesday, August 24
9:00 am – Former foster child/ current foster care advocate/ country music artist Jimmy Wayne.
11:30 am – Suicide behavior procedure and checklist; how to help students, staff cope with trauma and grief, spot and assist other students in crisis, and minimizing the risk of additional suicides. With Misty Leitch, TN Suicide Prevention Network.
11:30 am - Human trafficking myths, trends, and realities. *PLEASE NOTE: This is presented by a TBI special agent who conducts undercover operations, so we ask that his face not be recorded or photographed.*
12:45 pm – Panel discussion with TBI Director David Rausch and TN Commissioners from Departments of Correction, Children’s Services, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Wednesday, August 25
9:00 am - High impact, low cost strategies to help people with substance abuse disorders in the justice system, especially in rural areas. Presented by Judge Duane Slone with Tennessee’s 4th Judicial District Court.
Thursday, August 26
8:00 am – The role of prevention, treatment, recovery and inequity in a time of national crisis. Discussion of poly-drug misuse, racial disparities, and other social factors.
2:15 pm - Drug Endangered Children and Human Trafficking: Identifying intersections and providing opportunities for children. Examining how substance use and trafficking are connected, what professionals and volunteers can look for, and how they can help.
Friday, August 27
8:45 am – TBI Special Agent in Charge Tommy Farmer with the TN Dangerous Drugs Task Force discusses drug trends in Tennessee.
10:45 am – Using multi-disciplinary approaches to assist children and families in finding a path to help, hope, and healing. Presented by Jerry Moe, Director Children’s Programs at Hazelden Betty Ford, a trainer on issues, solutions for families and children hurt by addiction.
DATE: Tuesday, August 24 – Friday, August 27, 2021
TIME: Various; see agenda
LOCATION: Opryland Hotel, Magnolia entrance