Opioid Task Force founder reflects on community roundtable

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Opioid Task Force recently hosted a virtual community roundtable to discuss the latest efforts and developments across the wide network of groups and providers fighting upstream to turn the tides of addiction.

“It was very informative and real exciting… We’re still in the good fight,” Mat-Su Opioid Task Force founder Michael Carson said.

Cook Inlet Tribal Council Peer Services and Recovery Services Supervisor James Savage facilitated the virtual meeting over Zoom.

Various speakers presented during the meeting, representing entities such as Knik Tribal Council and Community Medical Services.

Carson said one of his biggest takeaways from the recent roundtable was the fact that the groups who presented along with others across the Valley have been able to keep their operations going and rising to each challenge COVID-19 has thrown at them.

“I was just so amazed at how everyone was doing everything possible to keep the doors open, and continue to provide those vital services that people need during any time but especially during COVID… It was great to hear our community really has stepped up,” Carson said.

Knik Tribal Council Behavioral Health Director, Stephen Adams discussed their latest project, establishing a new wellness center focused on serving younger clients up to the age of 24. Carson said that would be a great opportunity for local youth to access various behavioral health services with a number of treatment options.

“That was real exciting news… It’s a pretty exciting adventure they’re looking into,” Carson said.

Community Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Roger Swingle talked about their ongoing efforts to accommodate over 300 clients at their Wasilla clinic, providing a range of services and a number of different medications for substance misuse treatment like methadone and suboxone.

Carson said that Community Medical lost a number of employees, but they were “committed to keep the doors open.”

“That, I think is just remarkable and really shines light on the providers in the Valley; that they are doing everything possible to accommodate and assist people in recovery,” Carson said.

Carson said that Swingle has presented during Task Force meetings on several occasions, noting that he’s been a great advocate for their cause on top of providing important information.

“He would come and talk about all the different medications that were used… and he would describe each one of them; but then, he always, always talked about how important counseling is alongside the medication,” Carson said. “We know there are 300 clients out there that are wrestling with their substance misuse disorders, and they’re successful because they’re alive, right? The last I checked, a dead addict can’t get into recovery.”

This is the Task Force’s third community roundtable. Carson launched this new series in December of 2020 to create an ongoing dialogue with local providers and groups, and inform Valley residents about the status of services for those struggling with addiction during the pandemic.

Carson said that the constant flow of information. shared resources, and referrals across the Valley’s network has always been important, but that need has only exasperated since the start of the pandemic.

Carson said the next roundtable is scheduled for March. He said that he’s been encouraged by the success of the last three meetings, noting that the momentum they’re building will help create lasting change.

“It just keeps on rolling,” Carson said. “It’s reassuring how many people are in the good fight.”

For more information, visit the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com