MSB approves transfer of powers from Houston, Wasilla, and Palmer to disburse opioid settlement funds

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) was August 31, communities around the world will hold vigils and other events to honor the lives lost to overdose and renew calls for action against the public health crisis. It also draws attention to the alarming rise in overdose deaths.

According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 398 overdose deaths in Alaska during the 12-month period ending in June 2024. This is a significant increase from the 287 overdose deaths recorded in the previous 12-month period, between June 2022 and June 2023.

“I wanted acknowledge all the Alaskans that have lost their lives due to the opioid epidemic as we raise awareness for ‘International Overdose Awareness Day,’ August 31,” said Michael Carson, a longtime advocate for substance use disorder and recovery, founding the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force and now serving as chair for the Mat-Su Youth Mental and Behavioral Health Task Force.

“In addition, I want all the families and friends that have lost loved ones to know that we are thinking of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!”

First recognized in 2001, IOAD has grown to become the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdoses and reduce the stigma of substance use disorder related deaths. IOAD encourages open dialogue and community action

In the spirit of community action, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) Assembly recently voted unanimously to accept transfers of powers from the cities of Houston, Wasilla, and Palmer to disburse funds in accordance within the parameters allowed for the National Opioid Settlement to the extent the Borough receives the settlement funds during the MSB Assembly meeting on August 19.

Assistant Borough Manager George Hays said that the funding will be distributed through a grant program overseen by a committee comprised of city representatives as well as addiction treatment advocates. A specific plan for forming the committee is still under development.

Alaska received $1.8M in July from a nationwide settlement against eight pharmaceutical companies who distributed to states and local governments nationwide. The funds will be distributed annually.

The settlement funds have been allocated to be spent with 30% of the money going to treatment, 30% to prevention, 10% on recovery, and 10% to be used for harm reduction. The remaining 20% will go to media notifications about the grant program for the first five years. The plan follows a series of public-input Opioid Settlement Funds Needs Assessment in 2023. The findings were approved by the MSB later that year. The Borough will receive and vet the applications and disperse the grants.

During that same meeting, Ordinance 25-094, Re-appropriating $21,000 from the National Opioid Settlement funding for the Department Of Emergency Services Peer Support Training Program. Specifically, the funding will be used to provide Peer Support Specialist Training to Emergency Responders

“I believe this will be an impactful opportunity for Mat-Su service providers to apply for funding to turn the tide that is drowning Alaskans with substance use and overdoses. The good fight continues with more funding becoming available!” said Carson.