Opinion: Recognizing the Opioid Drug Problem in Alaska

The drug use problem in Alaska is vast in that it includes a variety of drugs and mirrors similar drug use patterns in many other states.

Some of the most commonly misused substances in the state include alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and pain medication. As of 2022, the fentanyl crisis has consumed many communities.

The drug makes its way through Alaska by the southern border in the form of counterfeit pills, or it is added to heroin. Unfortunately, fentanyl drove a 71% increase in opioid deaths from 2020 to 2021. Among those aged 15 to 24, deaths increased by 25% and 200% among adults 25 to 34.

The city of Anchorage has the highest per capita rate of overdose deaths at 20.8 per 100,000 people, followed by Ketchikan, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, and Mat-Su.

Historically, these regions of the state have had the highest rates of overdose deaths. By 2012, overdose deaths involving prescription pain medication were double the national average. Between 2009 and 2015, heroin-related deaths quadrupled. Roughly 74% of all overdose deaths in Alaska involved an opioid.

“We have seen fentanyl and other opioids sweep through small communities, and unfortunately, many of these communities do not have enough resources to combat the problem,” said Marcel Gemme of Addicted.org.

In 2018, it was estimated to cost the state and local governments, employers, and residents of Alaska $1.1 billion because of drug use. Young adults continually make up the highest percentage of drug users, and Alaska men experience the highest rates of overdose deaths.

Overall, drug overdose deaths in the state have increased annually since 2018. Between 2012 and 2021, there have been 1,382 overdose deaths.

Much is being done to combat the problem through Alaska’s opioid response infrastructure. The state is working to reduce stigma and change social norms. In addition, this includes increasing access to screening, referral, and treatment services, and building communities of recovery across the state.

Screening and providing referrals to treatment are critical. The state has 24 hospital emergency departments for patients with opioid use disorder. According to SAMHSA, there are 81 drug rehab programs in the state, with most of them in the Anchorage region.

A common approach is medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapies, and MAT services are also provided via telehealth.

Finally, one significant barrier that must be reinforced is community support during recovery. Alaskans are at high risk for relapse and overdose following rehabilitation. Some strategies to combat this, which the state is implementing, include working with employers to increase employment opportunities, reducing system barriers to employment to increase opportunities, and increasing access to housing.

There are struggles after completing drug rehab, and having arranged a job, a place to live, and a purpose determines whether a person relapses or overdoses. It takes work to achieve sobriety, and community support is critical.

The recovery journey becomes less problematic when resources are available to help recovering addicts create opportunities. Aftercare and support strengthen the recovery community for everyone else achieving sobriety.

Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a health care professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery. He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant.