Insights from the 2026 National Rx and Illicit Drug Summit
Each year, the National Rx and Illicit Drug Summit brings together some of the most dedicated and forward-thinking professionals in the substance use field — clinicians, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders — all united by a shared mission to reduce the harms of drug use and improve lives. For the fourth consecutive year, our team was proud to be among them, gaining invaluable insights and reconnecting with the national conversation driving the field forward.
Team members Gabby, Taylor, and Stella attended the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit.
Expanding Our Knowledge Across Critical Topic Areas
The summit offered a wide variety of panels. Our team attended sessions spanning several high-priority areas, each of which directly informs the work we support for our clients:
Emerging Illicit Substances
As the drug landscape continues to evolve, so must our understanding of it. Sessions on emerging substances like Kratom highlighted the challenges communities and providers face in responding to new substances.
Prevention Strategies
Presenters underscored the power of evidence-based educational messaging tailored to young audiences, as well as the growing body of research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) as a protective factor. These sessions reinforced the importance of prevention work.
Maximizing the Impact of Opioid Settlement Funds
With billions of dollars in opioid settlement funds flowing to states and localities, staying current on how to most effectively deploy these resources is essential. We learned the latest practical strategies for ensuring these funds are invested in high-impact, evidence-based interventions.
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment Retention
Access to MOUD is a critical piece of the opioid crisis response. Presenters shared strategies to improve treatment retention and ensure that individuals stay engaged in the process.
Managing Federal Grants Supporting Substance Use Disorder Services
Effective grant management is foundational to delivering quality SUD services. Our team received timely guidance on practices that help organizations maximize the value of federal investments.
National Substance Use Trends: Drug Trafficking, and Developing Treatment Options
We attended sessions that mapped current substance use trends — including the drug trafficking landscape and cutting-edge treatment options. These sessions provided a grounded, up-to-date picture of where the crisis stands and where the field is headed.
Learning from National Leaders
Among the Summit’s highlights were presentations and remarks from leaders at the forefront of clinical practice and research, including representatives from the American Medical Association and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), as well as members of Congress engaged in shaping federal policy on substance use. Hearing directly from these voices — and the perspectives they bring from both science and policy — brought important context to the work happening at the state and local levels.
Bringing It Back to Our Work
The knowledge and connections gained at the Summit directly strengthen the services we provide to our clients. Whether it’s designing evaluation frameworks for prevention programs, supporting data-informed decision-making around settlement fund investments, or helping programs demonstrate their impact on treatment outcomes, EVALCORP remains committed to translating national learning into local action.
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this critical national conversation and look forward to applying what we’ve learned in service of the communities and partners we support.