1 in 3 Alaskans directly affected by opioid epidemic

In sharing and hearing one’s experience of loving a suffering soul with a substance misuse disorder, we hope every Alaskan will be moved to advocate for life-saving Narcan, detox and treatment.

Along with those vital components, we want to support more addiction research, health care and criminal reform, especially treatment behind the walls. And most importantly, encourage political leadership at all levels of government to fund behavioral health.

And, to have every Alaskan and American citizen demand action to get us out from under this opioid epidemic which is the worst health issue we are facing in modern history.

This can only happen when the stigma surrounding addiction and the stigma directed at families affected no longer creates a barrier to healing. These suffering souls and their families need our compassion, not our rebuke. We have to take a stand against all stigma and call it out. We have to have civil discourse and dialogue to seek solutions. And hurtful language does not have a place in that process.

And, yes, there are victims of crime; and in short, they are tired of it and afraid of it happening to them again.

The opioid epidemic does not discriminate and cuts across all demographics of Alaska. We have to address the core issues driving the opioid epidemic: Trauma, mental health ( lack thereof) and poverty, which can cause opioid use and in turn fuel crime.

One out of three Alaskan families have been affected directly by the opioid epidemic. Yet, many suffer in silence.

We have to realize parents can be victims themselves. Some parents have had their child steal cash, checks and heirlooms from them. Some parents have spent money on treatment and airfare to travel to treatment programs, only for it to happen again.

And, most unbearable, they have spent many anxious days and night dreading the next phone call or a knock on the door. All the while with many sleepless nights or sleeping with one eye open, hoping and praying.

And, sometimes, getting the most heartbreaking and gut wrenching news, their child has died due to an overdose, a drug deal gone horrible wrong or worse, died in jail, where they thought their child would be safe!

Now, it is time we provide those families with a safe place, without press, reporters and live-streaming to share their stories. And, that place is the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meeting May 7th. That meeting will be from 4-6 pm at Wasilla City Hall.

We want all regular Task Force members to attend to support affected families. We will have individuals from different support groups from across Mat-Su at the meeting.

Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Mother’s Addict, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Grandparent’s support and a Chaplain for ‘grief & loss’ support — we want affected families to know they are not alone and we care.

If you know an affected family, please invite them and greet them when they walk into the room. Thank you.

Michael Carson is the vice president for recovery at MyHouse and chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force.