Alaska’s chief doctor joins Mat-Su Opioid Taskforce

WASILLA — Progress made by the Mat-Su Opioid Taskforce is beginning to flow like an Alaskan river during breakup. At the group's April 3 meeting, Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jay Butler addressed the group discussing state legislation — both passed and pending — and spent about a half-hour taking questions. Members also heard from two recovering addicts and their progress with the Bridge Device, welcomed new taskforce members and received an update on upcoming related events.

Butler described the national opioid addiction problem as one that is not going to go away.

"It's not going to be over in a week," Butler said, "It's not a 100 yard sprint; it is a marathon."

Butler explained drug disposal bags which are being distributed free of charge around the state. Butler said he approached a Washington D.C.-based pharmaceutical company when he learned it was distributing the bags free of charge. At the time, Butler said most were going to cities along the continental U.S. east coast. He sought, and received a large quantity of the units which render prescription medications harmless when used properly. The taskforce's goal is to establish a network throughout the Valley where the public can pick the bags up for personal use.

Butler reviewed the governor's two opioid-related pieces of legislation. The first, SB91, allowed Walker to issue an opioid disaster declaration back in February. That allowed various doors to open to help the state deal with the growing opioid addiction issue.

SB79 tackles the issue more at the medical provider and patient end of opioid prescription use. It calls for tighter monitoring of prescriptions issued to patients through a prescription drug monitoring program (PDPM), allows patients to partially fill opioid-based prescriptions, and allows patients to opt out of opioid-based drugs if called for as part of their treatment plan.

Butler said the latter bill is still on the legislative floor in Juneau. He said the governor would really like to see it pass this session but it remains unsure at this point. Butler then spent about a half-hour answering taskforce member questions.

Erica Anderson and Serena Espinosa were next to take the floor. Both are recovering opioid addicts utilizing the Bridge Device. Both purchased the $500 non-narcotic electronic device used to alleviate the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The two are not part of the Lazarus Project, which is a Mat-Su-based program in its infancy and uses the same device as well as the non-narcotic craving suppression drug Vivitrol. Their presentation and an update on the Bridge Device, its availability and use stipulations as it relates to South-central; as well as a Lazarus Project update will be featured in an upcoming Frontiersman.

Several new task force members addressed the group sharing information on offered services. Included in the mix was details on Genesis, the Mat-Su Nar-Anon program, and The Addict's Mom. All have similar goals of helping addicts and their families deal with the ongoing issues of getting and staying drug-free.

Taskforce member John Green updated the group on Anchorage-area related topics. With impetus from the Mat-Su taskforce, Green said the Anchorage Opioid Task Force will hold its first meeting is Tuesday, April 11. Several Mat-Su members, including Green and Carson, will be among those addressing the group. The meeting takes place at Anchor Park Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Drive from 4-6 p.m.

Green also reminded members about Easter Sunday church services for a group of recovering women from Hiland Mountain Correctional Facility in Eagle River. Alaska First Lady Donna Walker and state Department of Corrections commissioner Dean Williams will be among those attending the 10 a.m. services. The event starts at 10 a.m. at Eagle River High School and is open to the public.

Valley residents wishing to dispose of unwanted medications will have an opportunity Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fred Meyer in both Palmer and Wasilla, as well as the Sunshine Clinic in Talkeetna. Part of National Prescription Drug Take-back Day, the program allows individuals to properly dispose of unused and/or expired prescription medications. The event is sponsored through the borough and by Sunshine Community Health Center, Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) and Thrive Mat-Su. Expired/unused pet medications may also be dropped off. For additional information on the program call 861-8557.

The task force is open to the public and meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Wasilla City Council chambers 4 to 6 p.m.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 252-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com