Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – Knoxville community leaders, health experts, and advocates are coming together this week for a two-day effort aimed at reducing overdose deaths and strengthening recovery support across East Tennessee.
The “Tackle Overdose Now” Community Impact Summit, hosted by REACH Impact Institute and Fund Recovery in partnership with the Metro Drug Coalition, is taking place June 25th and 26th, bringing a mix of fundraising, education, and direct action to the community.
Day one begins Thursday evening with a fundraising dinner at 6:00 p.m. at Hunter Valley Farm. The event is designed to rally donors and supporters around overdose prevention efforts, particularly expanding access to naloxone — a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Attendees will hear from former University of Tennessee and NFL football players, including Heath Shuler and Joey Kent, while also enjoying dinner, live music, and opportunities to connect with community leaders and advocates.
Organizers say proceeds from the dinner will support ongoing education initiatives, naloxone distribution efforts, and recovery programming across the region.
The summit continues Friday morning at the Gateway Recovery Community Center, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The free, public event will feature a series of discussions led by experts in addiction medicine, recovery support, and public health. Topics will focus on recognizing the signs of overdose, responding effectively, and connecting individuals to long-term treatment and recovery services.
All sessions will be moderated by Dr. Stephen Loyd, Chief Medical Officer of Cedar Recovery and a leader in state and national opioid response efforts, including his role on the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council.
The summit concludes with a major step toward improving access to lifesaving medication. At 12:30 p.m., Metro Drug Coalition will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new naloxone vending machine located on its property. The machine will provide the medication free of charge, removing barriers for those who may need it in an emergency.
Organizers say the initiative is part of a broader push to make naloxone widely available throughout Knoxville and to ensure more people are equipped to respond quickly in overdose situations.
Registration is required for the summit sessions, but the public is welcome to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony without signing up.
REACH Impact Institute says the goal of the event is simple: save lives by combining education, access, and community collaboration to move people from overdose rescue toward long-term recovery.
