Opioid Task Force gives updates on meeting with Sullivan

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Opioid Task Force continues to bring new members onboard and share information to connect agencies with each other and individuals affected by the state’s opioid abuse epidemic. The group met Tuesday evening at Wasilla’s city council chambers where the information exchange continued to expand.

Among the presenters for the gathering were Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) Medical Director Anne Zink and Chief Nursing Officer Emily Stevens, a synopsis of a recent meeting with U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and task force members, an update on the ongoing Narcan (naloxone) and medication disposal bags, and general brainstorming between those attending.

Zink shared information on Alaska’s Emergency Department Coordination Project (EDCP), a collaborative agreement between the State of Alaska, the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (AK-ACEP) and the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association (ASHNHA). The project’s backbone is to implement and utilize an electronic information system in emergency rooms across the state to improve effectiveness and delivery of care.

The system is a collaborative care management tool designed to increase the effectiveness of existing care management resources, reduce medically unnecessary ED readmissions, and most importantly as it relates to prescription drug abuse, integrate with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and establish uniform statewide guidelines for prescribing narcotics in a hospital emergency department. At the same time, the effort is expected to reduce overall healthcare costs.

Stephens reviewed planned expansion at the Palmer facility. A number of public hearings were conducted last fall. At that time, the hospital indicated it needed additional clinic and office space as the Valley continues to gain in population. At the same time, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, which occupies part of the existing facility, is also experiencing growing pains.

Brandi Kinney of MyHouse and MSRMC pharmacist James Bunch provided an update on the ongoing efforts to expand, and an update on the growing list of sites for Narcan training and prescription drug disposal bags. Bunch is coordinating the effort to get pharmacies across the Mat-Su as public pick-up bag sites. Kinney noted MyHouse is serving as a main source for both the public Narcan training and kit distribution.

Part of the wrap-up on the task force-Sullivan meeting held May 30 included a recap by Sullivan spokeswoman Margaret Sharpe. She serves in the Wasilla legislative office and announced there is potential for a roundtable discussion with the senator in September, which is national recovery month.

The newly implemented Mat-Su drug court and the probable implementation of a “safe babies court” were also discussed at the session. To date, the drug court has nine clients with two more enrollees pending. Progress on the safe babies court — which seeks to find placement for youngsters 0-3 years old — is expected later summer.

Task force member Nina Arvin updated the group on the Mat-Su’s Nar-Anon program. Similar to Al-Anon, the family-oriented gathering offers support to those affected by someone else’s addiction. The group meets Sundays 7-8 p.m. at the Mat-Su Alano Club, 901 Snohomish in Wasilla. For more information, contact Arvin at 355-8800.

Task force facilitator Michael Carson discussed his recent meeting with Big Lake Chamber of Commerce members. He said he is scheduled to speak this coming Tuesday, at the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon. Carson said his main focus continues to be breaking down the stigma of addiction.

The task force usually meets the first Tuesday of the month from 4-6 in Wasilla. However, the group will not convene in July because of the Independence Day holiday. The next scheduled meeting is Aug. 1 in the Wasilla city council chambers.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com