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Health Department outlines recommended uses of opioid settlement funds ahead of May 12 appropriation
Summary
The Health Department said Anchorage will receive a share of state-distributed opioid settlement dollars and recommended funding priorities (MAT expansion, APD pre-arrest deflection, community health worker, naloxone vending) in AM2792026, which the assembly will consider May 12.
The Anchorage Health Department briefed the Public Health and Safety Committee on May 6 about recommended municipal uses of opioid settlement funds that will be on the assembly agenda in mid-May.
Kimberly Rash said the state expects approximately $58 million distributed over 18 years from the national opioid settlement and that Anchorage's portion, as described in the memorandum, is $4.186 million over 18 years. She said Exhibit E of the settlement lays out approved core strategies and evidence-based priorities, and that the department used a community remediation survey (responses cited in the presentation) to shape recommended projects in AM2792026.
The nut graf: The health department recommended funding medication-assisted treatment expansion, a pre-arrest deflection program with APD, continued support for a hired community health worker, naloxone vending-machine stocking and short-term medication plus linkage to ongoing care. The item will be on the assembly consent calendar on May 12 for appropriation consideration.
Rash said survey respondents prioritized MAT and treatment services (63% of respondents named MAT/treatment as a priority) and cited interest in pre-arrest diversion and treatment alternatives (42% prioritized that area). The department said it will continue financial support for an existing community health worker hired in December 2025 and for stocking naloxone vending machines around the municipality.
The committee asked clarifying questions; members and staff directed additional operational or technical questions to the health department before the assembly vote.
No formal appropriation was taken in committee; AM2792026 was described as scheduled for assembly consideration on May 12.
