Opioid Abatement Summit

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) in collaboration with Santa Rosa County grants Director, Kyle Holley, hosted an opioid abatement summit on September 1, 2026. The summit brought together local organizations together to discuss the efforts taking place in Santa Rosa County, including medicated assisted treatment (MAT) at the jail for those that receive it already, school-based education, community-based education, and the efforts around bringing Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) to Santa Rosa County.

People standing and smiling in front of a banner.

In addition, key speakers were invited to share information about CORE and MAT. The first speaker was Dr. Kenneth Scheppke, previously the Department’s Deputy Secretary of Health, who shared his experience in Pinellas County and the beginning of the CORE program. Dr. Mark Stavros, Addiction medicine and Emergency Provider, gave an in-depth overview of the different medications involved in treating substance use disorders.

The summit also conducted a panel at the end that included a format for our audience to ask questions and gain more insight from the speakers and additional partners that were included in this panel. Overall, the summit had 67 attendees including nonprofit agencies, local law enforcement and emergency services, federally qualified health centers, and concerned residents.

National Night Out

A woman points out a display to another woman.

DOH-Santa Rosa partnered with CDAC Behavioral Health and local law enforcement to host the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The event took place at the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center in Milton, and included 45 vendors, 30 volunteers, and over 1,100 attendees. The event is celebrated nationwide each year to educate residents on drug and crime prevention. 

The National Night Out event is a community building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships. 

Vendors included free kids’ activities, public safety personnel, displays, and free school supplies. The city of Milton Police Department, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and many other local agencies and business sponsors helped to provide school supplies, educational materials, and promotional items to participants.  This year’s National Night Out provided “a great opportunity for families to spend time together and enhance relationships with neighbors and law enforcement in the local community,” said Vince Nguyen, event coordinator and DOH-Santa Rosa staff member.

“The event was a great way for family, friends, and neighbors to promote healthy lifestyles and safe neighborhoods,” said DOH-Santa Rosa staff member and National Night Out organizer Vince Nguyen.