Task force plans to fight opioid abuse

State agencies have announced their intention to form a group to draft a plan to fight an epidemic of heroin abuse and prescription drug addiction in Alaska.

On Wednesday, the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced they will join forces on a task force.

The task force will draft a report by Nov. 30 to advise the governor and Legislature on strategies to fight addiction.

The task force will be open to the public, and Alaskans’ input is requested.

For more information, visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/AKOpioidTaskForce/

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