ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services received three federal multi-year grants this month that together provide nearly $3 million annually toward the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction, misuse and overdose in Alaska.
“Opioid addiction and overdose deaths are hurting Alaska families and communities,” said Gov. Bill Walker. “Getting this funding is great news because it will help us continue building programs and services that can potentially save lives.”
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$750,000 annually for three years from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Prescription Drug Overdose Data-Driven Prevention Initiative to combat the opioid overdose crisis through data collection and analysis, policy review, an evaluation of the Alaska Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and outreach and public education.
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$1 million annually for up to three years from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help expand and enhance medication-assisted treatment in Alaska.
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Up to $1 million annually for five years from SAMHSA to buy and distribute naloxone to first responders and key community partners, and to train them in its use.
The grant period for these grants begins Sept. 1, 2016.
Last September, the department also received a five-year SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success grant that invests almost $1.7 million a year into reducing and preventing the non-medical use of prescription opioids and heroin among 18- to 25-year-olds. The resulting Partnerships for Success Initiative has improved the state’s infrastructure and readiness to address the opioid crisis by conducting surveillance, building prevention-focused leadership, and partnering with communities to develop local prevention strategies.
“These resources and partnerships extend our prevention and treatment efforts to improve outcomes for Alaskan families who are struggling with opioid addiction,” said Valerie Davidson, Commissioner of DHSS.
Alaska families, providers, and anyone seeking information or help can find materials and guidance atwww.heroin-opioids.dhss.
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