Anchorage, Alaska set a somber new record as it reported the highest number of deaths from opioid overdoses in 2023 than in any previous year, according to the Alaska Department of Health. The state also experienced the largest year-to-year increase in overdose deaths in the nation, based on preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The spike in deaths in Alaska was primarily attributed to the prevalence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has been devastating communities across the state. In 2023, there was a nearly 40% increase in fatal overdoses compared to the previous year, with fentanyl being responsible for the majority of these deaths.
Lindsey Kato, the director of the Alaska Division of Public Health, described the situation as “heartbreaking” and linked the rise in deaths to the increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply. The use of fentanyl has been part of a deadly trend that has affected the Western U.S. following a similar spike on the East Coast.
Following Alaska, Oregon and Washington also reported significant increases in overdose deaths during the same period, according to CDC data. Over the years, Alaska has been grappling with high overdose death rates, with fentanyl consistently playing a major role in these fatalities.
Efforts to address the opioid crisis in Alaska have focused on distributing fentanyl test strips and providing training on naloxone, a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses. Project HOPE in Alaska distributed over 46,000 free naloxone kits last year to combat the rising number of overdose deaths.
Health officials emphasize the importance of not exceeding prescribed opioid doses, avoiding mixing opioids with other substances, and routinely testing illicit drugs for fentanyl. They also encourage individuals to check on friends or loved ones who use drugs and to carry naloxone, which has been linked to a high survival rate for overdose victims.
As Alaska grapples with the devastating impact of opioid overdoses, the state is set to receive approximately $58 million in national opioid settlement funds to support opioid remediation strategies. A portion of these funds is available for nonprofits and local governments to apply for to aid in addressing the opioid crisis in the state.