Emerging Drug Trends Symposium

Since 2019, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs  has convened stakeholders for an annual meeting to discuss changing drug trends. 

This symposium will gather stakeholders to review current drug trends, innovative approaches to connect people who use drugs to treatment and other social services, identify gaps in services, and provide a venue for stakeholders to network. 

The aim for this event is to ensure that as drug use patterns change, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and other allied professionals have the knowledge they need to adapt SUD prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services to meet the needs of people who use drugs.

Single County Authorities, substance use treatment providers, people with lived experience, community-based organizations, health care providers, recovery organizations, government officials, criminal justice system partners and other interested stakeholders.

We invite professionals to submit proposals for 45-minute in-person breakout sessions that deliver practical, evidence-based strategies for addressing the evolving substance use challenges facing Pennsylvania communities.

We are seeking presentations on topics including emerging drug trends and overdose response, clinical care and treatment innovation, health equity and priority populations, and strategies for reducing barriers to care.

Proposals on other topics that advance substance use prevention, overdose response, treatment, recovery, or harm reduction are also encouraged.

The Symposium will feature 9–15 breakout sessions. Proposals are due by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM.