Like all states within the U.S., Alaska is grappling with significant substance misuse and addiction among its residents. Addiction to drugs and alcohol has been a persistent problem in the state, with addiction rates only increasing. According to the Alaska Department of Health, the overdose death rate was 35.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, up from 20.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020.2
During 2017–2019, the annual average prevalence of past-year illicit drug use disorder in Alaska was 3.6% (or 21,000), which was higher than the national average (2.9%). During 2017–2019, the annual average prevalence of past-year alcohol use disorder in Alaska was 7.6% (or 45,000), also higher than the national average (5.3%).3
The highest number of opioid-related deaths identified in one year was 108 in 2017; of which, 100 (93%) were due to overdose. During 2010–2017, with 623 identified opioid overdose deaths, the opioid overdose death rate increased 77% (from 7.7 per 100,000 persons in 2010 to 13.6 in 2017).4