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Assembly hears True North Recovery plan for Anchorage 'Launchpad' and neighbors raise location concerns
Summary
True North Recovery presented a peer-led 'Launchpad' to help people access behavioral-health treatment; the committee praised the model but Fairview residents and some members objected to the proposed Access Alaska site and asked for more outreach and operational detail. The committee scheduled further review for May 13 and related assembly action on May 12.
True North Recovery told the Assembly Public Health and Safety Committee on May 6 that it wants to open an Anchorage "Launchpad," a peer-led hub to connect people to medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal management and housing navigation.
The group's community engagement director, James Savage, said the model evolved from the Wasilla day-one campus and a feasibility study that found gaps in "navigation" rather than a shortage of treatment beds. He cited Wasilla results, saying that between July 2022 and July 2025 "630 unique individuals connected to detox or withdrawal management services," that the program logged "6,527 service hours," and that "86% of everybody that engaged with True North Recovery engaged in behavioral health services of some kind in a long term format." Savage said the Anchorage Launchpad would be a volunteer-entry service open during daytime hours and supported by mobile outreach and a 24/7 helpline.
The nut graf: Committee members…
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