Alaskans deserve to feel safe in their homes, communities, and places of work. Governor Walker believes that addressing public safety concerns requires addressing our opioid crisis, and making data-driven improvements to Alaska’s criminal justice system.
Alaska’s rates of heroin and opioid abuse have dramatically increased in recent years. From 2009 to 2015, the number of heroin-related deaths in the state quadrupled. Additionally, deaths related to the use of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl have now been documented in Alaska.
Governor Bill Walker has declared a public health crisis in order to combat the state’s opioid epidemic. The disaster declaration establishes a statewide Overdose Response Program under Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and enables wide distribution of the life-saving drug, naloxone.
Along the disaster declaration, Governor Walker also signed Administrative Order 283, outlining next steps to address the growing heroin and opioid epidemic in Alaska. The administrative order directs all state departments to apply for federal grants to help fund prevention and treatment options; the elimination of illegally imported drugs; assistance with prescription drug monitoring; and development of resources to provide medical treatment in Alaska.
A critical part of continuing Alaska’s progress on Criminal Justice Reform is passing Senate Bill 54 in the coming Special Session Governor Walker called for October 23. The legislation contains continued improvements to Alaska’s criminal justice system that allow judges to have greater flexibility and discretion when it comes to crafting appropriate sentences.
It is true that Alaska has seen an uptick in crime; however, research indicates that rise in criminal behavior occurred prior to substantive efforts to reform Alaska’s criminal justice system. The improvements contained in SB 54 augment those made previously, and we need to give these reforms a chance to work before making even more sweeping changes.