MSB Assembly approves Opioid Remediation Funds allocations and preliminary distribution methods.

One out of three Alaskans have been directly affected by the opioid epidemic, creating more compassion, and a desire to save and heal lives. The severe impact of the opioid epidemic has compelled many states to sue several distributors, manufacturers, and pharmacies involved in distributing prescription opioids. Out of those lawsuits, settlements have been reached in most lawsuits and now settlement funds are being distributed to states and municipalities across America to help remediate the effects of the opioid epidemic. The funds must be spent in an effort to remedy and rectify the opioid crisis.

Last Tuesday, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to begin the process of allocating $2.3 M in grant money for opioid remediation as part of the Opioid Distribution Settlement Funds.

The public had an opportunity to weigh in on how best to utilize the funds as the Matanuska-Susitna Borough held public-participation meetings earlier this spring, along with an online survey to determine public input as to where the settlement funds would be best utilized.

The data collected was forwarded to the Opioid Remediation Needs Assessment Committee, which was formed with prominent members of the recovery and health care industry, including Michael Carson, the chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force and Vice President of My House in Wasilla; Karl Soderstrom, Founder and CEO of True North Recovery in Wasilla; James Savage, co-Chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force and Director of Operations at Dylan’s Place/Day One, a detox and withdrawal management center in Wasilla; and Dawn Deaver, a Registered Nurse with the Mat-Su Public Health Center, and Vanessa Schachle, Student Advisory Board to the MSB School District.

With guidelines set forth from the settlement, there were 4 targeted areas for consideration: treatment, prevention, harm reduction, and recovery.

Over 250 people participated in either the community meetings or online surveys, and from that, the committee identified the needs of the aforementioned areas into a list of priorities, with treatment and prevention being the areas needing more attention, followed by harm reduction and recovery.

Funds will be distributed by the Borough to qualifying grant recipients in accordance to the needs priorities. A fifth area that covers all areas of remediation was recommended as all 5 committee members assisting Deputy Borough Manager and facilitating community meetings, suggested 20% for a media campaign.

“It was evident, especially from community testimony, residents were frustrated not knowing ‘who, what, when and where’ to contact for information for a wide-range of behavioral health services. This media campaign will address that vital issue that is clearly a need for community members,” said Michael Carson, chairman of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force.

The application of grants from this settlement will be awarded through a process which the Borough will have make available on the Mat-Su Borough website once the funds are ready for distribution. There will be 10 grants available for each area, subject to the amount of funds available per each year to ensure transparency and to facilitate the application process.

The resolution also establishes the Annual Opioid Remediation Funds Account to facilitate accountability, how the money was spent and most importantly, determine if outcomes were met to reapply.

“I want to thank Deputy Borough Manager, George Hays, the Borough Assembly and committee members that have worked since last spring to produce a great recommended report that will make a positive, life-saving, and healing difference in many people’s lives,” said Carson.

The Borough Assembly thanked the committee members for their hard work and dedication in addressing the opioid crisis and their commitment to support the well-being of the residents of the Mat-Su Borough.

“The Assembly extends its appreciation to all community members who participated in the public meetings and survey, as their input has been vital in shaping the recommendations for the allocation of the opioid remediation funds.”

“I believe we have made progress in that our community has come to understand addiction is not a moral failing, but a chronic brain disease, progressive and deadly,” said Carson.