A state initiative that works with community organizations to expand the availability of naloxone in Alaska
Project HOPE (Harm reduction, Opioid Prevention, and Education) began in February 2017 as an initiative led by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to provide overdose education and naloxone distribution across the rural state. The project partners with community-based organizations to train the general public and equip them as well as professionals with opioid overdose rescue kits. Training is delivered by staff or volunteers at the partner organizations. In addition to naloxone kits, Project HOPE also distributes drug disposal bags to prevent nonmedical prescription opioid use.
Some of the community organizations that partner with Project HOPE include:
- public health and social service agencies
- fire departments
- law enforcement agencies
- faith-based organizations
- shelters and transitional housing agencies
- substance use disorder treatment centers
Project HOPE has evaluation forms on their website to track progress and results are promising. Since the project started in 2017, 108 community partners have distributed 24,692 kits and more than 300 overdose reversals have been reported. In addition, the state initiative has distributed over 25,000 drug disposal bags to communities across Alaska.
Contact information for the program can be found here, a presentation on harm reduction efforts in Alaska can be found here, and harm reduction targeting Alaska's rural and indigenous populations can be found in the tookit here and the video here.
Since the project started in 2017, 108 community partners have distributed 24,692 kits and more than 300 overdose reversals have been reported.