SPECTRUM: Detox, treatment desperately needed

“If dope houses are open 24/7 then, we need to be open for business 24/7 as well!” That statement was made by Dr. Jay Butler, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Alaska Public Health at a Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meeting. I believe the business he was referring to is our communities being “Recovery Ready.” That means swift access to detox and treatment to ensure long term sobriety. It includes education, vocational training and employment opportunities for success. Also, it includes secure, quality and affordable housing and transportation. We need to provide these footholds for those wanting to climb out from under this opioid epidemic. In short, more hope than dope.

I know all too well of personal testimonies where families and concerned friends didn’t know where to turn for help and/or needed resources when that window of opportunity presented itself. We know when a suffering individual is in the grips of the disease of addiction and they say “help,” there is no time to waste. It could truly be a matter of life or death. I could not even fathom the grief and pain for one that has lost a daughter, son or grandchild because they could not find help quick enough to avert the continued use of opioids, no safe detox, and/or an overdose.

Life is a miracle and mystery. It is a miracle that some individuals make it into recovery and others do not. Some are thanking God, while others could very well be cursing Him. Now, there are those that have lost loved ones and have courageously stepped forward. Their message is loud and clear, “Enough is enough!” I have the utmost respect and admiration that they are fighting the good fight for others, while carrying a heavy burden of loss in their own hearts. Yet, there are many out there that are not ready to share that burden. But, when you are ready, we will be waiting to help you carry your story forward.

I cannot tell you how many times I have had a conversation with community members and it turns to this epidemic and their children, ( young adults ) after they become aware of my involvement with the Opioid Task Force. It could be an electrician, receptionist, teacher, Slope worker, a nurse, a mother, father or grandparent. This disease does not discriminate.

I had a friend tell me, the Task Force has a heavy load trying to convince nine out of 10 community members to help one suffering soul. But, in reality it is more than just one suffering soul, because that one suffering soul has a mother, father, or maybe brother, sister, and/or children of their own. That does not even factor in the skyrocketing health cost, increased arrest with incarceration, property crime and the most devastating, fatal overdoses that we know was someone’s daughter or son.

It has gotten to the point Narcan (an antidote for an opioid overdose) is going to be available by the end of the month for those needing to have immediate access for it, if the need arises. I cannot imagine what kind of life one has, to be in constant fear of having to use it, to save a loved one’s life?! We are having to provide “sharp containers” in public places to discard used syringes. (used syringes show up everywhere! ) Along with those containers, we need to have a syringe exchange to reduce the spread of HIV and HEP C, which is a major public health issue. We need prescription “drop boxes” for old and outdated pills so, they do not get in the wrong hands. Desperate measures for desperate times.

Do not get me wrong, I believe all these harm reduction tools are providing solutions to a problem that has many moving parts. Yet, we need more. Our most pressing need is detox/treatment. We need ten times the number of detox beds that we currently have in the State. I know the only detox facility in South-central receives 50 calls a day and has only 14 beds.That is not adequate access.

Yet, there is some light at the end of the tunnel with criminal reform in reducing prison beds by 25% and re-investing those savings into treatment, pre-trial and re-entry services, along with reducing violence and keeping the public safe. We are fortunate to have our own Drug Courts in the Mat-Su that will begin taking clients mid-January with case management to provide them with much needed treatment. Sending those with addiction problems to jail is ineffective and costly. We need to be smart. Drug Courts have been shown to reduce recidivism rates for those that complete treatment. Then, those clients re-engage in the community as successful, productive and taxpaying citizens. And, hopefully, reach back to those still suffering, which reinforces their own recovery.

But, we have much more work to do. We must ensure those detoxing in jail are being supervised with medical care. That tells us we need more detox beds, followed with treatment, all the wrap-around services and after care ( church, N.A., supportive families and friends) to provide the necessary bridge to ensure success and sobriety. Again, there is much to do and we need you to provide more ideas, suggestions, and most importantly, your feedback. If you want to join the good fight, the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meets the first Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting is Dec. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the new Iditarod Elementary School, 801 Wasilla-Fishhook Rd.) All are welcome.

Michael P. Carson is vice president and a recovery specialist at MYHOUSE. His telephone number is 373-4357.