Atlanta, Georgia - Representatives from the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) Office attended and shared resources at the 2016 National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit, March 28-31, in Atlanta.

The summit is the largest national collaboration of federal, state and local professionals seeking to address prescription drug abuse, misuse and diversion.

Speakers included President Barack Obama, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and directors of federal health agencies including the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"It's costing lives and it's devastating communities," Obama said while participating in a panel with medical professionals and individuals in recovery from opioid addiction. He urged summit attendees to work together to approach the epidemic as a public health problem, noting that "this is a bipartisan, all hands on deck issue."

"Prescription drug abuse is a growing issue, and one that brings dire health and career consequences," said LaNorfeia Parker, deputy director of NADAP. "The Navy takes this issue very seriously, and we are proud to be a part of this collaborative event."

The summit brought together the leaders in the fight against prescription drug abuse and misuse, and was an opportunity to share ideas and best practices.

"By bringing together the top professionals across the spectrum, we are advancing a much-needed, multi-faceted approach to combating the drug abuse epidemic across the country," said Nancy Hale, president/CEO of Operation UNITE, the Summit's organizer. "We are pleased that NADAP is a key participant. By sharing those resources and expertise, the Navy is helping fight this epidemic by working to create a solution that will save lives, families and entire communities."

More than 1,600 of the nation's top researchers, law enforcement, advocates and policy-makers participated.