“This is hard stuff. If it was easy, Alaska would have done it long ago,” Health Commissioner Valerie Davidson told lawmakers.
Alcohol & Substance Abuse
Helping Drug-Addicted Inmates Break the Cycle
In the first two weeks after a drug user is released from jail, the risk of a fatal overdose is much higher than at any other time in his addiction. After months or years in confinement, theoretically without access to illicit drugs, an addict’s tolerance for drugs is low but his craving to get high can be as strong as ever.
Bill would provide immunity for giving heroin antidote
Thirty-three Alaskans died from heroin overdoses last year, a dramatic increase from just five years ago, when only four died.
In Drug Epidemic, Resistance to Medication Costs Lives
Addicts who quit drugs under an abstinence-based program are at a high risk of fatally overdosing if they relapse. Within days, the abstinent body’s tolerance for opioids plummets and even a small dose of the drugs can shut down the lungs.
Few Doctors Are Willing, Able to Prescribe Powerful Anti-Addiction Drugs
More than 900,000 U.S. physicians can write prescriptions for painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. But because of a federal law, fewer than 32,000 doctors are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine to people who become addicted to those and other opioids. Most doctors with a license to prescribe buprenorphine seldom — if ever — use it.
New Medications For Treating Opioid Addiction Are On The Horizon
A long-acting implant has gained approval from an FDA advisory committee. It could soon become the latest on a very short list of medical options for treating opioid addiction.
Alaska Fred Meyers could start carrying overdose medication
Eight stores in Washington have quietly rolled out access to a drug that stops opiate overdoses. The chain plans to eventually expand to all its locations. In Alaska, that largely depends on the outcome of Senate Bill 23.
Portraits Of Those Killed By Heroin Bring Healing And Awareness
Heroin and other opioid overdoses are projected to kill 400 people in New Hampshire this year. Many of them are young. And now one mom is painting portraits of those who overdosed.
On the edge: Shedding light on Juneau murder victim Robbie Meireis
Robert Meireis had a tough life that included a history of violence, years in prison, even tattoos tying him to white supremacist groups. That he met a violent end in a double murder discovered last month in West Juneau wasn’t necessarily a surprise to some people who knew him.
Juneau keeps conversation going on heroin
Legislators, police officers and behavior health specialists are gathering together this weekend in Juneau for a townhall discussion on heroin. They’ll be focused on finding local solutions to help people suffering with addiction.