Monthly opioid meeting held in Wasilla

WASILLA — "We're starting to make progress and creating those networks so when people are looking, they have the support," stated Michael Carson at the Jan. 10 Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meeting. "We were the only opioid task force in the state...a community that has come together, seeking solution and putting those solutions to action."

The monthly sessions were started to address the Valley's growing drug addiction problem by bringing together individuals and representatives of the many available service and programs in the Mat-Su. Several new members joined up including pharmacists and area retail fraud prevention personnel.

Carson shared more opioid addiction data and statistics to start the session. According to the national Center for Drug Control (CDC), there were more than 50,000 drug overdose deaths nationwide. That included more than 10,000 Fentanyl deaths , up 73 percent; 13,000, heroin deaths, up 10 percent; and more than 18,000 prescription drug deaths, up four percent.

Carson said Fentanyl has become the nation's scourge. The synthetic drug is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. He told the crowd national life expectancy has gone down and drug overdoses has played a significant factor. He said the powerful painkiller has made its way to Alaska in the form of counterfeit oxycodone after first showing up in Tennessee. In the state 2014 through September 2016, there were 144 heroin overdoses. Of that, Carson said, 60 percent occurred in the Mat-Su.

Carson said during the recent holidays, he received requests for grief and loss support. Through research, he was able to add to group's database of contacts and referrals. He said next month, the agenda should include Corey Allen Young with Alaska's Department of Corrections. Carson said Young will explain detox protocol and procedures "...that happen behind bars".

Most of Tuesday's session was a review of progress made. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center ER Doctor Michael Alter, reviewed and updated everyone on the ongoing Lazarus Project. It involves using a non-invasive, FDA-approved neuro-stimulator to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. The unit purportedly removes 70-90 percent of the side-effect.

Alder said things look good for the sought after $15,000 Target Wellness Grant. That would allow a purchase of 20-25 Bridge devices at $550 each. Alder said the Bridge is key to the Lazarus project.

"It looks like everything is on track to happen quickly," Alder told the meeting.

He said the unit, combined with utilization of existing services in coordinated manor to get full spectrum of care, should show promising results. That includes immediate care, evaluation, getting the individual on the Bridge, through detox and into an agency for more long-term recovery. He said one issue, who can "install the device"--which only involves placement on the ear, has yet to be addressed due to liability issues.

Alder said he continues to work on arranging individuals who can help with Vivitrol program coordination adding a few things that need to come together over the next couple of weeks before it's completely ready to go. Alder said he is also working on a continuing medical education on detox and tying it into the Bridge unit. He said the session will open interested community members as well.

"There are quite a few moving parts but things are really coming together," Alder said. He said the project has garnered lot of support.

Discussion turned to points north where a handful of parents in Fairbanks quietly and for the most part, behind the scenes, created their opioid task group. He explained the group pooled funds and purchased a Bridge device for those wanting to detox Alder said the stigmatism of drug addiction is one of the main reasons the group has remained low-key. Alder said the effort has been successful but the continuum of care is still a problem. The effort, he said continues broadening the region's perspective. The doctor said components are in place in a lot of communities but problem is bringing them all together.

A representative from the state's Department of Health and Human Services spoke about Alaska's recently procured $4 million Narcan grant. Narcan may be administered via injection or inhalation and immediately reverses the effects of opioid drugs. Two-dose kits will be available starting next week. The state is trying to make things as simple as possible. The kits include all relevant materials, must be given and cannot be sold and the state is trying to make things as simple as possible.

Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle informed the crowd of a planned Feb. 22 Alaska Municipal League opioid abuse discussion-meeting in Juneau. Cottle said people want more information. He explained that in the state's outlying and remote areas, relatives and community members want help in addressing drug abuse issues. He explained they can't do locally because of the closeness of the community.

The last topic of the evening centered on an upcoming candlelight vigil. Mat-Su residents John and Kathi Green lost their daughter Kellsie complications of heroin withdrawal last January. They plan to mark the event with a statewide candlelight ceremony. John Green told the gathering that they were not the only ones suffering from a similar fate. He said because of the stigma associated with addition, many parents keep quiet.

Green said the event was created not only to remember his daughter, but to provide a venue to other parents to come and connect and to bring the awareness out.

"When Kelsey died, this didn't exist," Green said of the task force. "There were a whole lot of groups that wanted to help, but they were working independently. Still there are a lot of parents that don't know about this."

Green said he hopes the vigil will eliminate some of the stigma and get them involved in creating the solution. The event will take place Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6 p.m. at Nunley Park in Wasilla. The event will also be marked in Anchorage, Soldotna, Fairbanks, Juneau. MyHouse, located across the street, will be open so that people can step in and coffee, Carson said.

Green said following a benediction and speaker, the names of lost loved ones will be read. He said he hadn't received many names Green said many individuals are not comfortable enough to give last names, or even last initial in some cases.

Karl Soderstrom of Fiend2 Clean will host next month's meeting. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month. The February gathering will take place at Wasilla City Hall 4-6 p.m. Carson added those with ideas, suggestions of potential speakers, or topics for discussion, are welcomed to let him know.