In Alaska, where overdose deaths are rising again, Narcan and community are a lifeline

The article discusses the crisis of homelessness in Alaska, particularly in Mat-Su County, where there are numerous homeless encampments. The Guardian spoke with people working in the field to understand the causes and effects of this issue.

One organization, True North Recovery, provides substance use treatment, but also works with law enforcement and local organizations to help potential clients access basic resources. They have a mobile crisis unit that responds to emergency situations and provide services like housing vouchers.

Another organization, MyHouse, provides youth recovery services and has a thrift shop where people can buy clothing. A police officer witnessed one of their staff members providing assistance to someone in need, showing how these organizations are making a difference.

The article highlights the challenges faced by those working in this field, including limited resources and the need for more crisis beds. However, it also shows the impact that these organizations can have on people's lives, such as helping someone access basic necessities like food and clothing.

Overall, the article suggests that there is a growing need for substance use treatment and support services in Alaska, particularly among young people, but also acknowledges the challenges of providing these services.

I'm really concerned about the homelessness crisis in Alaska, especially in Mat-Su County . It's heartbreaking to think that there are so many people struggling with addiction and not having access to basic resources like food and clothes . The fact that organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing amazing work to provide substance use treatment and support services is a huge plus .

However, I do feel like the government needs to step up and provide more funding and resources for these organizations . It's not just about throwing money at the problem, but also about creating a system that supports people in need and helps them get back on their feet . We need more crisis beds and emergency services, not just talk about it . Still, I'm hopeful that with more attention and action, we can make a difference and help those who are struggling to find stability and happiness

I'm so moved by stories like this ... I mean, can you believe how tough it must be for these organizations to deal with homelessness in Mat-Su County? It's crazy that they have to navigate all these challenges just to get people back on their feet. But at the same time, seeing those organizations make a difference is truly heartwarming ... like when that police officer witnessed one of MyHouse staff members helping someone out - it's moments like those that remind us why we need more support services in Alaska . And what's even more concerning is how limited resources can hinder their progress. Can't we do more to help these organizations? Maybe provide them with more funding or crisis beds... something, anything!

I'm really sad to see what's going on with homelessness in Alaska . It's crazy how many homeless encampments there are, especially in Mat-Su County. I think it's because a lot of people have fallen through the cracks and don't know where else to turn. These orgs like True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing amazing work trying to help people get back on their feet though . It's crazy how they're making a difference, one person at a time.

I think we need more funding for these services so they can provide more crisis beds and support. It's not just about the orgs themselves, but also the law enforcement and local gov't need to step up too. And I wish there was more awareness about it, like, how many people are struggling with addiction and substance use. Maybe then we can get more help and resources to those who need it

man it's so sad to see ppl struggling with addiction n homelessness out there i think we need 2 do more 2 help people get back on their feet u know like more resources 4 those in need 4 real though its not just about givin people a place 2 stay its about givin them hope 4 a better life. these orgs like True North n MyHouse r doin some amazing work n i love that they r willin 2 reach out 2 ppl in emergency situations. we need more of that kinda energy 2 make a difference

alaska is literally one of those places where you gotta feel sorry 4 anyone struggling w/ homelessness its like, everyone's already battling harsh winters & isolation so the last thing u wanna be worrying 'bout is havin no place to call home anyway i think these orgs r doin some awesome work tryna provide a safety net 4 ppl in need & stuff like that but we gotta acknowledge that this isnt just a local problem, its also linked 2 the national opioid crisis & poverty rates so lets get to the root of it & find more ways 2 support these orgs & the people they're tryin 2 help

I'm so frustrated with how many organizations are having to rely on mobile crisis units because they can't get more permanent solutions in place . Like, I get that funding is tight, but can't we be doing better than this? And it's not just the lack of resources that's the problem, it's also the bureaucratic red tape that slows everything down.

I'm glad to hear about organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse that are making a real difference on the ground. Their thrift shop is genius - who needs fancy programs when you can just provide someone with some basics? But seriously, we need more of these kinds of solutions, not just Band-Aid fixes . We need to get ahead of this crisis before it's too late.

I feel really bad seeing all those homeless encampments in Mat-Su County. It's heartbreaking to think about how hard it must be for ppl struggling w/ substance use & mental health issues 2 get help. The fact that orgs like True North Recovery & MyHouse r makin' a difference is super inspiring tho . We need more of these types of initiatives in Alaska! It's not just about providing services, but also about breakin' the stigma around mental illness & addiction. We gotta support ppl in gettin' the help they need .

I'm so sorry I missed this thread, it's been dead for days . But seriously, the homelessness crisis in Alaska is really heartbreaking. It's crazy how limited resources can affect the lives of people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. I've read that some organizations are doing amazing work, like providing mobile crisis units and thrift shops, but it feels like they're just patching up holes rather than addressing the root cause.

I think we need to talk about the systemic issues here too... Are there policies in place that can support people with addiction or mental health issues? Can't these organizations be integrated into a more comprehensive system that provides long-term solutions? I feel like these organizations are doing some incredible work, but they're often just Band-Aids on broken systems. We need to think bigger here!

I'm not sure I get why we're always going on about this homelessness thing... don't get me wrong, it's a serious issue and all that, but can't we focus on something else for once? Like, have you seen those new energy drinks everyone's been drinking? They claim to give you so much energy, but I'm not convinced. I think they're just overpriced water with some weird ingredients. And what's with the thrift shop thing, is it really that hard to get people off the streets if we just have a place where they can buy clothes and stuff? It seems like a Band-Aid solution at best. I'm all for supporting organizations like True North Recovery, but let's not forget that there are way more complex issues at play here...

I mean come on... Alaska is one of the richest states in the country and you've got this homelessness crisis going on? It's not just about funding, it's about systemic issues like lack of affordable housing and substance abuse treatment. I'm all for True North Recovery and MyHouse doing their thing, but we need more support from the community and maybe even some state-level initiatives to address the root causes of this problem. We can't keep relying on these organizations alone to fill the gap. And what's with the police officers being part of the solution? That's not exactly the kind of partnership that's gonna help people get back on their feet...

I'm not surprised to see another homeless crisis brewing in Alaska . It's like they just keep running out of resources. I mean, how many times can you keep patching up a broken system before it just comes crashing down? And what really grinds my gears is that people are still having to deal with basic stuff like food and clothing because there aren't enough services available. It's not exactly rocket science, but clearly some organizations are doing more to help than others... I guess you could say they're the exception rather than the rule.

Homelessness in Alaska it's a big problem! I think we can do better . These orgs like True North Recovery & MyHouse are doing amazing work . They're not just helping people with substance use, but also with housing & food . It's heartbreaking to see ppl living on the streets . We need more crisis beds & resources . But it's awesome to see staff like in MyHouse org taking care of people in need . Let's keep spreading awareness & supporting these amazing orgs !

Man... homelessness in Alaska is just heartbreaking . I mean, back in my day, we didn't see this kind of thing going on. It's like, what happened to our communities? It seems like everyone's trying to help out with organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse, but it's tough when resources are limited . I'm all for those crisis beds – gotta have a place for people to stay while they get back on their feet. But you know, it's not just about the shelters... it's about giving people hope again. And these organizations, they're doing that in big ways . I've seen vids of those thrift shops and mobile crisis units, and it's amazing what kind of impact they can have. It's like, a police officer witnessing staff helping someone? That's what we need more of, you know? Compassion and understanding .

I'm so heartbroken thinking about all those homeless people out there especially kids in youth recovery centers like MyHouse. It's crazy that one police officer just witnessed an amazing scene where staff were helping someone in need. But what really got me is how limited the resources are. I mean, crisis beds? That's super rare! And with substance use treatment being a major issue, it's clear we need more organizations like True North Recovery doing the good work they're doing .

I think what worries me most is that these services are so important but so hard to come by. Like, how can you expect someone to get back on their feet when they don't have access to basic things like housing or food? It's just not fair . We need more organizations stepping up and providing support for people in need. And governments gotta step up too with more funding for these services. That way, we can actually make a difference in lives of those struggling

Alaska's homeless crisis is getting out of hand... I mean, have you seen those pictures of Mat-Su County lately? It's like a tent city out there . But seriously, it's heartbreaking to see so many people struggling with addiction and homelessness.

I think what really gets me is that these organizations are doing everything they can with limited resources. True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing amazing work, but it's just not enough. We need more crisis beds, more support services... the list goes on. And it's not just about providing basic necessities like food and clothing, it's about addressing the underlying issues that lead to addiction in the first place.

I'm all for these organizations getting more funding and recognition, but we also need to acknowledge the role that law enforcement and local government play in this issue. Let's work together to find solutions that don't just throw money at the problem .

omg i'm so worried about this homelessness crisis in alaska like what's going on? i know some ppl r struggling with addiction & they need help but it feels like no one's listening these organizations True North Recovery & MyHouse are doing amazing work tho, i mean, who else is gonna provide housing vouchers & thrift shop services to ppl in need? we need more resources for crisis beds too, it's just not fair that ppl have to live on the streets at least these orgs r trying to make a difference, kudos to 'em!

omg i just read this article about homelessness in alaska and it's literally heartbreaking i'm not even sure what to say, i feel like we should be doing way more to help ppl struggling with addiction and poverty anyway, i think true north recovery is doing some amazing work, like their mobile crisis unit sounds so cool! and myhouse seems to be making a real difference in the community too, especially with their thrift shop it's crazy how one police officer witnessed staff from myhouse helping someone in need the only thing i'd say is that more resources would be awesome, like more crisis beds and funding for these orgs but overall, i'm just so inspired by ppl working towards making a positive impact

Man, I'm so moved by this story ... it's heartbreaking to see people struggling with homelessness and substance abuse, especially in such a beautiful place like Alaska . I've had friends who have struggled with addiction, and it's like they just lost their way, you know?

But what really gets me is how these organizations are stepping up to help, even when the system seems stacked against them . It's amazing to see people like that police officer witnessing staff from MyHouse helping someone in need – it's like a beacon of hope .

The thing is, addiction and homelessness aren't just individual issues; they're systemic problems that need to be addressed . We need more crisis beds, more funding for substance use treatment... it's not just about throwing money at the problem, though; it's about creating a support system that actually works .

I feel like we can all learn from these organizations – there are people out there who genuinely care and want to make a difference . Maybe we can all take a page from their book?

I'm so worried about what's going on with homelessness in Alaska . It just seems like it's getting worse and worse. I've been reading a lot about organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse trying to make a difference, and it's really inspiring to see people working hard to help others. But at the same time, it's heartbreaking to think about how many people are struggling with addiction and don't have access to the resources they need .

I've been living in Alaska for a while now, and I can tell you that it's not easy to find jobs or get housing, especially if you're struggling with substance use. It just feels like the system is broken, and we need to do more to support our most vulnerable citizens .