Opioid task force starts website

WASILLA — As the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force continues expanding its reaches not only in the Valley but to other communities across Alaska, ideas on making it more effective and able to reach those who can use it continue to blossom from task force members. The latest is a website for the community-based group.

At a March 7 task force meeting, task force member Dr. Michael Alter said it seemed to him the next step of evolution for the group.

"I followed the doctor's orders and banged one out," said task force chair Michael Carson. Actually, Carson said he received some needed coding help from former colleague, Diony Tribble. "I got to do the fun stuff, picking out the cool images, quotes, and writing the narratives."

Carson said the website is static in that it is a springboard or bridge to helpful resources. Carson said the site is an organic, living document that can be modified, changed, and most importantly, updated as the task force moves forward.

Information on the force's strategic plan, history, and membership is available on the site. Additionally, Carson's Spectrum columns in the Frontiersman, dealing with opioid-related topics, and the task force's growing resource list, along with helpful links can be found.

"Our goal is to link up to other websites. Our objective is to get people connected in different venues. Kind of throw all that stuff out there and see what works, sticks or helps," Carson said. "We're always looking at ways to get people to resources."

There are plans to introduce a QR-code on various media. A QR-code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device such as a smart phone camera, and processed. It is usually used to link to an internet website where additional information on a product or topic is available.

Carson said site suggestions are welcomed. The website's address is matsuopioidtaskforce.com. The task force welcomes new members and meets at the Wasilla City Hall council chambers the first Tuesday of each month 4-6 p.m.