Governor Bill Walker has declared Alaska’s opioid epidemic a state disaster and ordered state and federal money for overdose medication.
In the declaration, the Governor said the opioid epidemic goes quote “beyond the timely and effective response and recovery capability of local resources.”
The declaration will cost $4,058,316 from regular appropriations for the Department of Health and Social Services and from federal grants to fund naloxone distribution statewide. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses.
In a letter to the state’s legislative leaders, Governor Walker said the declaration will not draw funds from the Disaster Relief Fund or from additional State General Funds.
The declaration authorizes the Commissioner and the State Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Social Services to coordinate a response to the crisis. According to the declaration, that response could include creating a statewide Overdose Response Program and allowing anyone in Alaska to dispense and administer naloxone.
Governor Walker will announce more information on his plan Thursday.
Alaska Public Media’s Lori Townsend spoke with Jay Butler, Alaska’s Chief Medical officer about the declaration.
Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
Anna Rose MacArthur is a reporter at KYUK in Bethel.
