Gov. Walker declares opioid abuse public health disaster

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has issued a public health disaster declaration stemming from the abuse of opioids such as heroin and prescription painkillers, across the state.

Declarations similar to Walker’s already have been issued in states like Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

In a letter to legislative leaders Wednesday, Walker says Alaska communities have created opioid working groups to focus on the issue.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

But he says they lack money and in some cases authority to distribute to the general public naloxone, which can be used to prevent overdose by opioids. He says the need for local assistance warrants a disaster declaration.

Walker proposed spending about $4.1 million in federal grants over five years to respond. But he says that’s a temporary solution and work is needed on a long-term fix.

More in News

A sign directs the public toward a tsunami shelter in Seldovia, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Tsunami watch issued, canceled for some Alaska communities

The watch followed an 8.7 earthquake that occurred Tuesday afternoon off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.
Ships in port, July 26-30

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy outlines priorities for special session

The Senate and House majority say the Legislature plans to consider two veto overrides.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls, July 24-27

Capital City Fire Rescue 12:24 p.m., July 24, 2025 CCFR responded to… Continue reading

Mount Marathon, seen July 4, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Swiss hiker rescued near Mount Marathon in Seward

The hiker said he’d climbed a mountain and gone beyond his ability

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
7 arrested in Juneau drug trafficking case

Juneau police joined with Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate the case

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Federal education funding to be released after monthlong delay

The federal funding freeze blocked around $420,000 to the Juneau School District

The setting sun casts some light on the Yukon’s Tintina Trench on March 15, 2024. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
Tintina Fault in the Yukon prone to large quakes, study reveals

Researchers at the University of Victoria found that the previously overlooked Tintina Fault could pose a hazard to the Klondike

Cathie Stone, of California, took a break during her tour through Alaska to view the Wrangell Mariners’ Memorial at Heritage Harbor on July 9. (Photo by Jonathon Dawe / Wrangell Sentinel)
Wrangell Mariners’ Memorial wins statewide honor for design

The story of the memorial is anchored in the community

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Juneau Empire relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in