Narcan, attitudes in correctional system addressed at monthly Opioid Task Force meeting

WASILLA — The Feb. 7 monthly Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meeting provided an opportunity for task force members to discuss concerns and ideas with representatives from the state's Department of Corrections (DOC). While a good portion of the two-hour session was spent with four DOC members sharing how "the system" assists with helping inmates suffering from opioid addiction, other items were also on the agenda.

Partners for Progress, an Anchorage-based non-profit aimed assisting former offenders reentering their communities, and updates on Narcan (naloxone) dispensing project and statewide candlelight ceremonies to honor those lost to narcotics addiction rounded out the agenda.

DOC public information officer Corey Allen Young introduced Laura Brooks — health and rehabilitation services director, Karen Can of the probation department, Morgen Jaco--reentry program manager, and Adam Rutherford — chief mental health officer. Brooks began the informal session noting between the state's less than ideal financial situation and the rapidly increasing rise in inmate opioid use, things are changing in Alaska's prisons.

"We've had a large amount of change in the department," said Brooks, who has worked for the corrections department for 20 years. "In the past five years, there has been more change than in the past 20. We weren't prepared for it."

The large rise in opioid use in the general public has in turn, led to a sharp increase in the number of inmates suffering from opioid addiction and in many cases, withdrawals and sometimes life-threatening detox symptoms.

"We are all learning a lot and trying to change… we face the same challenges as in the community," said Brooks. "In the last year, we have worked really hard to improve the system that we have."

Most of the segment with DOC representatives centered on information sharing. Some in attendance expressed concerns over perceived lack of compassion and general knowledge shown by DOC personnel as it relates to drug-dependent inmates. Brooks acknowledged that does exist.

"But we have a lot of officers who give a damn," Brooks said. She said the only time DOC personnel see people for the most part is when they fail. Brooks said that can lead to fatigue and stress in DOC workers.

Other topics covered included residential substance abuse programs, probation issues and sharing ideas on helping inmates with drug dependency issues transition back into the general population.

Joshua Sopko, Partners for Progress deputy director spent about 15 minutes focusing mainly on the outfit's reentry center. Its purpose is to provide comprehensive support to individuals either out of incarceration within the past six months or currently incarcerated but expected to be released within six months. Its support program includes employment services, transitional housing assistance, counseling, and mentoring.

Sopko also provided a quick update on the organization's Vivitrol (naltrexone) program. Vivitrol is a month-long lasting opioid antagonist that blocks the effect of opioids for a month at a time. Started in the fall of 2015, Sopko's numbers ran through Dec. 31, 2016. He said of the 153 eligible clients seen by Partners Reentry Center, 96 chose to participate in the program. Of those, Sopko said 76 remained in their community while 26 recidivated. He compared that to the 57 who declined the Vivitrol program where 52 returned to jail. Of the five who remained in the general population, Sopko said one died from a heroin overdose.

Wasilla resident John Green, who lost his daughter Kellsie in January of last year to opioid detox complications while jailed at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, spoke briefly on the candlelight ceremonies held across the state to honor those who died from opioid use or complications. He said in addition to the ones held simultaneously in the Valley, Soldotna, and Anchorage, a fourth took place in Fairbanks on Feb. 6. Green said a fifth is scheduled for Juneau later this month.

The session wrapped up with a short presentation from Andy Green of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services. Green has spearheaded the state's Narcan program. Once operational, the program will provide free doses of the drug which can be administered and immediately stop the effects of opioid overdose. But to get to the point of distributing the doses, Green said several hurdles remained. He said he was confident they would be resolved shortly.

Green said he has everything necessary to make up 1,600 kits which will contain gloves, instructions, information and the drug itself. However, everything has to be assembled into a small "kit". To assist with that, a group of volunteers were at MyHouse in Wasilla Thursday afternoon. Forming an assembly line, the volunteers packed up kits which will be distributed soon.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or

chris.ford@frontiersman.com