Idea Symposium Issues of Substance Addiction & Recovery

2026 IDEA Symposium – “Issues of Substance: Addiction and Recovery”

Substance abuse—from alcohol to opioids to "hard drugs"—is an issue that affects all communities, and Spalding County is no different.  Too often, the drug users themselves are identified as the community's problem—to be punished, hidden, or driven out.  However, such responses do little to help.  It is only by helping addicts that we can truly help communities.

 In recognition of the prevalence and importance of this issue, the theme of this year's IDEA Symposium is Issues of Substance: Addiction and Recovery.  At this professional learning conference presented by the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, attendees will hear from medical professionals, social workers, first responders, veterans, and other community members who have deep personal experience with the causes and impacts of substance abuse—and what all of us can do to help.

The IDEA Symposium, which will be held on Friday, April 10^th, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM in the Student Learning Center on the UGA Griffin Campus, is free and open to the public, but registration for the symposium is REQUIRED.