BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program

The Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health aims to implement the Alaska FY24 BJA-COSSUP Project to improve the statewide infrastructure to expand and enhance Overdose Fatality Reviews, support population-specific activities across all seven public health regions (Anchorage, Gulf Coast, Interior, Mat-Su, Northern, Southeast, and Southwest), and strengthen partnerships with first responders and corrections through naloxone distribution and post-overdose outreach. Alaska’s regions represent a combination of urban, suburban, tribal, rural, frontier, and remote communities. 
 
The expected outcomes are reduced overdose deaths, improved public health practices, and strengthened state, tribal, and community partnerships across Alaska. 
Alaska seeks to enhance Alaska's Overdose Fatality Reviews by partnering with the Alaska Department of Corrections to review cases of individuals who died within six months of release from prison or jail, and establishing regional reviews supported by tribal health to address Alaska's geographic and cultural diversity.  

The state aims to support funding opportunities across all seven of Alaska’s public health regions to support regional overdose fatality review participation and implement activities specifically aimed at supporting Alaskans disproportionately impacted by substance use and crime, including Alaska Native, criminal justice-involved, homeless, and unstably housed people, that are aligned with the goals and objectives of COSSUP, including future recommendations produced by the regional fatality reviews. 
Alaska plans to provide targeted outreach and education on overdose response and post-overdose outreach along with naloxone distribution to first responders, and corrections. The activity supports all corrections staff to carry naloxone, and providing kits and resources for individuals leaving incarceration, prioritizing individuals at high risk and facilities in areas with limited community naloxone access. This activity allows the Division of Public Health to significantly expand naloxone distribution for first responders and corrections, to both carry and distribute. 
 
The expected outcomes are reduced overdose deaths, improved public health practices, and strengthened state, tribal, and community partnerships across Alaska.