Statewide Opioid Action Plan

Between 2016 and 2017 SOA DHSS OSMAP in partnership with a vast amount of other state agencies and community organizations, conducted a series of community cafes in nine communities, while overall visiting 16 communities to better understand what worked, and what did not work in these specific parts of Alaska. They collected information from over 300 people across these communities.

This information was then concentrated to be reviewed by nine advisory teams. The advisory teams expanded across nine different focus areas based on the Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force Recommendations. Each team involved a diversity of members from community to state to federal, tribal to non-tribal, and nonprofit to for-profit. The nine areas addressed drug trafficking, prearrest and pretrial diversion, upstream prevention, prescribing practices and alternative pain management, screening, referral, and treatment, harm reduction, recovery and reentry, and surveillance and information sharing. The advisory members were led by trained leads who represented state agencies.

On August 13th and 14th, 2018, advisory teams comprised of 93 people representing over 80 different agencies came together to develop the Statewide Opioid Action Plan.
Download the Statewide Opioid Action Plan

Outcomes

Input from Community Cafe participants and Advisory Team members shaped the vision, mission, and most particularly, the values of the opioid effort.

Vision

Alaskans who live healthier lives in communities more resilient to substance misuse and other interconnected issues.

Mission

Save lives now and work to prevent future opioid and substance misuse.

Values

Integrated systems that are: Data-driven, science-based; Culturally responsive; Holistic; Community-based; Geographically relevant; Relationship-based; Trauma-responsive; Peer-supported; Family wellness-grounded

Goals

• GOAL 1: Alaskans unite to reduce stigma and change social norms surrounding substance misuse and addiction
• GOAL 2: Alaskans Communicate, Coordinate, and Cooperate on Substance Misuse Efforts
• GOAL 3: Alaskans reduce the risks of substance misuse and addiction
• GOAL 4: Alaskans experience fewer problems associated with drug use
• GOAL 5: Alaskans have timely access to the screening, referral and treatment services they need
• GOAL 6: Alaskans build communities of recovery across Alaska

Community Responses to the Planning Process

A survey was sent out to over 100 people who participated in the overall Statewide Opioid Action Planning process. Results revealed that respondents got a lot out of this process.

• 76% of the respondents indicated that all or most of the information provided was relevant to their work
• 69% of the respondents reported that all or most of the conversation supported an increase in their capacity to respond to the opioid crisis
• 61% of the respondents indicated that the information will be of immediate use to them
• 74% of the respondents indicated it was extremely or very important that they were involved in the development of the Statewide Opioid Action Plan
• 71% of the respondents indicated they made 3 or more new working relationships during the summit

When asked what the strengths of the process were or what lessons were learned, this is what a few respondents had to say:

• "Cross hatch of sectors and walks of life. There was a very diverse group in the same room for the same purpose. That is a big deal. Breaking up the teams to focus on targeted areas was helpful. Exposure to all of the different sectors passions and challenges was key I think."
• "Networking and bringing together representatives from a wide variety of organizations, including non-public health representation."
• "It was great to be able to be in a work group with different backgrounds to make plans for specific areas. Gave a broader perspective and different view of the opioid crisis planning in the state of Alaska."