Voluntary Non-opioid Directive

Under direction of AS 13.55.010, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has developed a Voluntary Non-opioid Directive (VNOD) form for public use. The VNOD aims to prevent providers from inadvertently offering certain controlled substances to those who could be adversely affected. It also empowers patients to proactively inform their provider that they do not wish to receive opioids for any reason.

You can access the Voluntary Non-opioid Directive here.

DHSS encourages patients to complete the Voluntary Non-opioid Directive in consultation with their primary care provider or behavioral health treatment provider. A signed VNOD should be given to a health care provider and recorded in the patient’s medical record.

The existence of a signed VNOD:

• Does not alter an advance health care directive.
• Does not limit the prescribing, dispensing, or administering of an opioid overdose drug.
• Does not prohibit offering, prescribing or administering opioid medications for the purpose of medication assisted treatment, as approved for such use by the FDA.

Former State of Alaska Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lily Lou, issued a memo to Alaskan health care providers on the implementation of the Voluntary Non-Opioid Directive. You can view Dr. Lou’s memo here.

You can find additional guidance here.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention: email osmap@alaska.gov or call (907) 332-2602.