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Heroin and prescription drugs are among the most commonly abused substances in Alaska, according to a 2016 drug report from the Alaska State Troopers.
Alaska has seen a huge increase in the abuse of opioids (which includes heroin and painkillers) in the past several years. Between 2013 and 2015, heroin abuse rates increased significantly from 0.7% to 1.23%.
Alcohol is also at the top of list of abused substances in Alaska. Between 2014 and 2015, alcohol use in the state was above the national average for adolescents (11% vs. 10.6%), and the number of adults with a diagnosable alcohol use disorder in that year also topped the national average (7.4% vs. 6.1%).
Substance abuse in the state may be driven in part by (and may also worsen) mental health issues, specifically depression. Alaska has the second-highest suicide rate in the country, with 27.1 suicides per 100,000 residents. The national rate is 13.3 per 100,000.
Recent reports and statistics suggest Alaska has a diverse and complicated problem with substance abuse. Consider some recent statistics in the state:
Alaska categorizes controlled substances into six schedules: IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA. Theses classifications are determined by the severity of the effects of each substance and the possibility of addiction.
| Schedule | Substances Included |
|---|---|
| Schedule IA | Drugs which pose the “highest degree of danger,” such as oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, heroin, and other opioids. |
| Schedule IIA | Drugs which pose “higher degrees of danger,” such as meth, amobarbital, synthetic cathinones (“bath salts“), and cocaine. |
| Schedules IIIA, IVA and VA | Drugs which pose lower degrees of danger, including diazepam and other benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, anabolic steroids, and small doses of codeine. |
| Schedule VIA | Drugs which pose the “lowest degree of danger.” This category only includes marijuana. |
Additionally, there are five degrees of drug crimes in Alaska. A person who commits “misconduct involving a controlled substance in the first degree” is guilty of an unclassified felony. A first degree drug crime may involve trafficking Schedule IA, IIA, and IIIA substances, and the penalties may be as severe as a mandatory 99 year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine. Meanwhile, a fifth degree drug crime might involve using or possessing a Schedule VA controlled substance, a Class D misdemeanor which is punishable by a maximum $2,000 fine and no more than 10 days in prison.
Alcohol regulations vary by borough in Alaska. While some boroughs allow the sale and possession of alcohol, others impose limitations. For example, a dry borough bans the possession and sale of alcohol altogether. Additionally, a damp borough restricts the amount of alcohol an individual can possess and prohibits alcohol from being sold or distributed.
In damp boroughs, people are allowed to purchase 10 ½ liters of hard liquor each month. This figure also includes a monthly limit of buying 32 bottles of wine and 12 gallons of beer. Roughly 11 percent of the total Alaska population and 52 percent of Native Americans in Alaska live in damp or dry boroughs. Some people try to smuggle alcohol into dry boroughs and sell them for a 100-200% markup. This practice is called bootlegging, which is a felony.
In Alaska, no one under the age of 21 may drink, possess, or purchase alcohol. Anyone who violates the law against underage drinking is subject to potential $600 fine, a three-month driver's license revocation, and 48 hours of community service.
Finally, Alaska has strict laws against driving under the influence. A repeat DUI offender could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending on how long ago their prior DUI convictions occurred. Here are the state's penalties for DUI:
| Conviction for DUI | Mandatory Minimum Punishment |
|---|---|
| First conviction | Three days in jail and a $1,500 fine; license revoked for three months |
| Second conviction | 20 days in jail and a $3,000 fine; license revoked for one year |
| Third conviction (misdemeanor) | 60 days in jail and a $4,000 fine; licensed revoked for three years |
| Third conviction (felony) | 120 days in jail and a $10,000 fine; licensed revoked for a minimum of ten years, but possibly for life |
| Fourth conviction (misdemeanor) | 120 days in jail and a $5,000 fine; license revoked for five years |
| Fourth conviction (felony) | 240 days in jail and a $10,000 fine; licensed revoked for a minimum of ten years, but possibly for life |
| Fifth conviction (misdemeanor) | 240 days in jail and a $6,000 fine; license revoked for five years |
| Fifth conviction (felony) | 360 days in jail and a $10,000 fine; licensed revoked for life |
| Sixth conviction (misdemeanor) | 360 days in jail and a $7,000 fine; license revoked for five years |
| Sixth conviction (felony) | 360 days in jail and a $10,000 fine; license revoked for life |
Medical marijuana is legal in Alaska for treating cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDs, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and seizures. However, it is illegal to possess more than one ounce of medical marijuana or use it in a public place.
Recreational marijuana became legal in Alaska in 2014. However, there are still laws which limit the use and sale of marijuana, such as:
A person who possesses illegal quantities of marijuana or who uses the drug in a public place risks criminal penalties.
| Marijuana Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Possession of more than 1 oz. and less than 4 oz. | Misdemeanor | 1 year in jail and $10,000 fine |
| Possession of 4 oz. or more | Felony | 5 years in jail and $50,000 fine |
| Possession of any amount within 500 feet of a school or recreation center | Felony | 5 years in jail and $50,000 fine |
| Public consumption | Violation | No jail time, but $100 fine |
As with the United States as a whole, Alaska law enforcement, and public health officials are working to help control the state's substance abuse problem, particularly the growing heroin epidemic.
To address the prevalence of opioid and heroin abuse in Alaska, the state created the Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force. The task force hopes to limit opioid abuse with a three-fold plan that includes the following objectives:
Before you decide to get help, think about what kind of program is the best fit for you. For example, if you’ve relapsed in the past, inpatient rehab may be an optimal choice because it can provide more supervision, more intensive care, as well as some distance between you and potential relapse triggers.
Also think about whether you would rather travel out of state for treatment or stay close to home so it’s easier for your family and friends to visit and be a part of your treatment.
If you or someone you care about needs help for drug or alcohol abuse, you can call us. One of our treatment support advisors will be happy to help you locate a program either near you or in another city/state.
Regarding the price of rehabilitation in alaska, look at the expense as an investment in your family's future. Most rehabilitation clinics are able to take partial payment through any PPO or HMO plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the price of treatment in AK, contact our no-cost hotline to get direct and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your AK inpatient-residential alcohol, illicit and prescription drug addiction treatment with take a month or 3 months, getting started immediately improves your chances of getting and staying healthy. Determining a recovery facility that can meet your own requirements before you ever set foot in the door can also help a great deal. When you're ready to book treatment, our helpline advisors can help you find the right location so you get off on the right foot.
Depending on the of program and facility you choose, the cost of your addiction treatment may differ. Things like the length of your program, the facility amenities, and number of staff, all affect the pricing.
Luckily, many Alaskan rehab centers make it easier for you to pay for treatment. AL facility payment options include private health insurance (92%), Medicaid (75%), military insurance (71%), and Medicare (47%). About 80% of facilities offer sliding scale fees and 87% accept cash or self-payment.
Cost is a concern for many people seeking addiction treatment. Many people also either aren’t insured or have limited coverage. If you’re worried about payment, ask the program about plans that let you pay off the cost of treatment over time.
Treatment centers also commonly offer sliding scale programs that will charge you a certain rate based on your income. Some even make scholarships available that cover all or a portion of the cost.
You can also see if you qualify for government-sponsored insurance plans such as Medicaid and Medicare.
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