Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

In an effort to reduce and mitigate opioid overdose deaths, Southeast Alaska Independent Living is providing fentanyl test strips and naloxone to anyone who needs them.

“These test strips indicate whether fentanyl is present in a drug,” said SAIL’s Sara Chapell. “SAIL isn’t an expert in addiction or harm reduction but what we’ve heard is that the test trips are one effective way for someone who’s using drugs to understand what’s in them. That in itself reduces overdose.”

The test strips, along with naloxone nasal sprays are part of an opioid overdose response kit that the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ Project Hope is distributing to communities across the state.

“We hope that folks will come into the office and even if they themselves are not using drugs,” she said. “They may want to have test trips around or hand them off to a friend or a family member that they know uses. That in itself is helpful.”

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, temporarily blocks or reverses the effects of opioids.

“In most cases the effect is immediate (within 30 to 40 seconds), blocking the effects of the overdose and allowing the person to breathe again,” according to the Project Hope website. “This gives time to seek emergency medical assistance. Its use is supported by many organizations, including the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the World Health Organization.”

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid which is legally prescribed and that is often manufactured illegally. According to the DEA, it's 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and is often laced in illegal drugs such as heroin or counterfeit pills. According to a May statement by Gov. Michael Dunleavy, fentanyl caused a 71% increase in opioid deaths in Alaska between 2020 to 2021.

Overdose deaths have increased nationwide. In 2021, according to Dunleavy’s announcement, nearly six out of every 10 drug overdose deaths involved fentanyl, which is consistent with national trends and the DEA estimates that four out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.

Kits are also available at the SEARHC clinic pharmacy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Haines Volunteer Fire Department.