Nearly 250 Alaskans died of drug overdoses last year. Six of every ten drug overdoses in Alaska involved fentanyl.
"opioids"
State releases new guide on medication assisted treatment
As more Alaskans seek treatment for opioid use disorder, the state is taking measures to ensure enough medical providers are there to help.
How hospital ERs in Alaska are helping patients with opioid use disorder
A trip to the emergency room can be a crucial window to assist people in their recovery. Now some providers are giving patients a medicine to ease the transition so they can seek additional care. Recently, a hospital in Juneau completed one year of this program with encouraging results.
State of Alaska sues second opioid manufacturer
The Alaska Department of Law is suing Mallinckrodt, alleging the opioid manufacturer downplayed the risks of its products while exaggerating the benefits.
State asks for new housing units to help Alaskans in recovery
Alaska has seen a dramatic rise in opioid abuse over the last several years, with over 100 fatal overdoses attributed to opioids last year.
Alaska tribes, health organizations join opioid suit
Alaska Natives are fatally overdosing from opioids at a higher rate than other groups. Now Alaska Native tribes and health organizations are joining a sprawling federal lawsuit against the prescription drug industry.
Deadly Delivery: Opioids By Mail
Congressional investigators say hundreds of millions of dollars of fentanyl is coming into the U.S. by mail. But lawmakers are finding it hard to stop.
Alaska AG joins effort to stiffen penalties for drug companies
Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth and 37 other attorneys general wrote Congress urging passage of a bipartisan bill addressing corporate consequences for failing to report suspicious opioid sales.
The opioid crisis is surging in black, urban communities
Opioid overdose deaths among middle-aged black men have increased 245 percent in the past three years in Washington, D.C.
Jump in overdoses shows opioid epidemic has worsened
Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent nationwide between 2016 and 2017, with some places showing even more dramatic spikes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.