Interior Aids Association: methadone clinic reports fentanyl is now predominant in local drug supply, continues contingency-based treatment

Lindsay Grennan of the Interior Aids Association told the Health & Social Services Commission March 15 that the association's Interior Medication Assisted Treatment program is the only Fairbanks clinic in the borough offering methadone, and that staff have seen fentanyl become the predominant drug in the community's illicit supply. "Since 2024, all of the clients that have applied for our program have tested positive for fentanyl," Grennan said.

Grennan described the program's services beyond medication: counseling, case management and peer-support services. The program uses contingency management to reward patients with clean urine samples via a token system that can be exchanged for small prizes or saved for larger rewards; staff also provide transportation assistance and distribute opioid reversal medication (naloxone). Grennan noted the program is CARF accredited and subject to DEA inspections.

Commissioners asked about overdose trends and distribution of reversal medication. Grennan and other commissioners noted recent availability of faster-acting opioid reversal agents and state-level distribution but explained short supply and logistical issues can create temporary pauses in distribution. The presenter said her program would like to refill a peer-support position if funding allows.

Ending The Interior Aids Association will be notified about grant decisions after staff finalize and certify commissioners' scores and prepare grant agreements.