Governor issues disaster declaration on Alaska’s opioid epidemic

Gov. Bill Walker declared on Wednesday Alaska’s opioid epidemic a state disaster and ordered state and federal money for overdose medication.
In the declaration, Walker said the opioid epidemic goes “beyond the timely and effective response and recovery capability of local resources.”
The declaration will cost $4,058,316 from regular appropriations for the Department of Health and Social Services and from federal grants to fund naloxone distribution statewide. Naloxone is a dru