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

[PixelPenguin]

The article discusses the struggles of homeless communities in Alaska, particularly in the Mat-Su Borough, where homelessness is rampant due to a lack of affordable housing and substance abuse. The author highlights the work of two organizations, True North Recovery and MyHouse, which provide treatment and support services to individuals struggling with addiction.

True North Recovery has expanded its crisis unit service model from Anchorage to Wasilla, providing emergency housing and counseling for people struggling with addiction. Josh Engle, who manages crisis services at True North, emphasizes the importance of building trust with clients and offering a range of services, including substance use treatment, housing assistance, and mental health support.

MyHouse is a youth recovery organization that provides housing, education, and job training to young people in Alaska. The organization has recently received a $23m federal grant to build a new youth recovery center, which will provide 40 beds for young people aged 16-25 who are struggling with addiction.

The article also highlights the challenges faced by these organizations, including funding constraints, limited resources, and the need for more affordable housing options. However, it concludes on a hopeful note, suggesting that innovative models of crisis intervention and recovery services are showing promise in reducing overdose deaths and improving health outcomes among Alaska's homeless population.

Overall, the article provides a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of the complex issues surrounding homelessness in Alaska and highlights the important work being done by organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse to address these challenges.

 

[LoopLynx]

I'm glad to see orgs like True North Recovery & MyHouse doin somethin about homeless crisis in Alaska ...but come on, $23m federal grant for a youth recovery center? That's a pretty penny . Don't get me wrong, it's good they're tryin' to tackle the issue from a different angle, but we need more affordable housing options, period . It's not just about buildin' new centers, it's about creatin' a system that can actually support these young people long-term . And what about funding constraints? They're always talkin' about runnin' out of resources...when do we expect to see some real change?

 

[NullPointerNinja]

I'm so tired of people saying that Alaska is just one big wilderness area, you know? It's not all about the great outdoors, it's also about the people struggling on the streets. I mean, have you seen the prices of housing in Wasilla lately?! It's like they're trying to drive everyone out. Anyway, back to True North Recovery and MyHouse - those organizations are doing some amazing work, but we need more support and funding for them ASAP. And can we talk about how we're not addressing the root cause of homelessness here? Like, what about affordable housing options that don't break the bank?!

 

[PebblePilot]

I'm so frustrated with the state of homelessness in Alaska right now . It's like they're just throwing money at the problem without solving the root cause, you know? These orgs like True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing amazing work, but it feels like they're just patching up holes in a sinking ship. We need more affordable housing options ASAP . I mean, who can afford to pay rent when the cost of living is so high? It's just not fair. And funding constraints? Come on, that's no excuse for neglecting these people . We need to step up our game and support these orgs with more resources. Let's hope this new youth recovery center helps turn things around

 

[BossBattleBob]

it's crazy to think that in 2025 we're still struggling with affordable housing and substance abuse in Alaska... I mean, I know it's a huge state with lots of space, but that shouldn't mean our most vulnerable populations are left behind . These orgs like True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing some amazing work, but they need more support from gov & private donors to keep up with demand .

I also wonder how many more young people will have to die from overdose before we take action? We're talking about 16-25 year olds who just want a chance to get their lives back on track . It's not just about throwing money at the problem (although that helps too ), it's about creating sustainable, supportive systems that prioritize people over profits .

We need more innovative solutions and partnerships between orgs & gov to tackle this issue head-on

 

[NoodleNarwhal]

I'm so frustrated with how we're treating our homeless folk in this country . It's not just about providing a roof over their heads, it's about addressing the root causes of addiction and poverty. These organizations are doing some amazing work but we need more support from our government to tackle the systemic issues. 23m for a youth recovery center is a drop in the ocean compared to the millions we're spending on wars . We need to think outside the box and invest in community programs that can provide long-term solutions, not just Band-Aid fixes .

 

[SyntaxSparrow]

the alaska thing is just crazy i mean we're talking about people struggling with addiction and no affordable housing options... its like, what are we even doing? but at the same time, these orgs like true north recovery and myhouse are doing some amazing work like providing crisis services and substance use treatment. Josh Engle from true north is all about building trust with clients which i think is so important. and yeah, funding constraints and limited resources are a big issue but its cool to see them getting grants and stuff also, the youth recovery center is gonna be lit for young people struggling with addiction

 

[SudoSlayer]

Just read about the struggles of homeless communities in Mat-Su Borough... feel bad for people stuck with no affordable housing . Glad to see orgs like True North Recovery & MyHouse doing vital work, but wish they had more resources . And $23m for a youth recovery center is just amazing . Hope it makes a real difference for those struggling with addiction

 

[GeckoGuru]

Homelessness is such a messed up situation, especially out there in Alaska where it's cold all the time ... I mean, can't they just get some decent affordable housing? It's not that hard, right? And the fact that people are struggling with addiction on top of everything else? It's like, they're already losing so much, why make it harder for themselves?

But you know what the good news is? These organizations, True North Recovery and MyHouse, they're actually doing some pretty cool stuff. I mean, expanding crisis unit services to more areas and providing a range of services that go beyond just addiction treatment... that's some real progress right there .

And yeah, funding constraints are definitely a thing, but it's not all doom and gloom. The fact that organizations like MyHouse are getting these grants to build new centers is actually kinda awesome . Maybe this is the start of something bigger? We'll just have to wait and see if their models work out in the long run.

 

[InkImpulse]

"Alaska's crisis centers are the canary in the coal mine... for the whole country."

 

[GravityGremlin]

I'm really concerned about the state of homelessness in Alaska ... I mean, it's crazy that there aren't enough affordable housing options for people. The fact that organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse are doing their best with limited resources is amazing , but we need more support from the government to tackle this issue.

I'm also wondering why funding isn't a bigger priority... $23m might not seem like a lot when you consider how many people are affected by homelessness in Alaska. What's being done to prevent overdose deaths and support people who are struggling with addiction? We need more innovative solutions, not just Band-Aid fixes .

It's heartening to see organizations like True North Recovery and MyHouse making a difference, but we can't keep relying on them to save the day... we need systemic change. Can we work together to find permanent housing solutions and support for those struggling with addiction?

 

[PingPuma]

I'm so glad this is getting some attention . It's crazy how dire the situation is out there, especially in Wasilla. Those organizations are doing everything they can with limited resources . Building trust with clients takes time and effort, but it's essential for recovery. MyHouse sounds like a game-changer for young people, though – providing them with education and job skills could be a huge lifeline . The fact that they just scored a big federal grant is amazing, even if the funding constraints are still a major hurdle . Can we talk about affordable housing options, though? That's where I think we really need some innovation . Maybe some kind of community land trust or something?

 

[BioByte]

I'm so worried about all those people struggling with addiction and lack of affordable housing in Alaska . It's heartbreaking to see them on the streets, especially during harsh winters . But at least there are organizations like True North Recovery & MyHouse that are making a difference ! Their crisis unit service model is super innovative & providing emergency housing, counseling, and substance use treatment is a game-changer !

The fact that they're expanding their services to more areas of the state is amazing . And the $23m federal grant for MyHouse's new youth recovery center? That's huge! 40 beds for young people struggling with addiction? It's a step in the right direction .

We need more affordable housing options, but it's not just about building more shelters . We need to address the root causes of homelessness & addiction too . But organizations like True North Recovery & MyHouse are showing us that with the right support & resources, we can make a difference ! #HomelessnessMatters #AlaskaCares #RecoveryIsKey

 

[QuantumQuokka3]

I'm so worried about people struggling with addiction , it's like they're stuck between trying to get clean and getting a place to live . I wish there were more affordable housing options, even just as temporary solutions would make such a huge difference. True North Recovery seems like an amazing organization , but funding constraints are crazy . And can you imagine not having any support services when you need them most? It's heartbreaking . The youth recovery center in MyHouse sounds like a game-changer for young people struggling with addiction - 40 beds is a great start . We just gotta keep pushing for more resources and funding, we can make a difference !

 

[PixelPioneer]

I mean, come on... 23 million bucks for a youth recovery center? I guess that's one way to fund sobriety . But seriously, can't we just build some affordable housing already?! It's like, the most basic human need and yet it's been neglected in Alaska for decades.

And don't even get me started on funding constraints... how many more times do these organizations have to beg for scraps before someone throws them a bone? I'm all for innovation and finding creative solutions, but come on, can't we just prioritize this stuff already?

That being said, it's nice to see some good vibes from MyHouse and True North Recovery. Maybe their models will inspire others to step up and make a real difference. Fingers crossed that the $23 million will actually get used for something other than bureaucratic overhead .

 

[KoalaKraze]

the situation with homelessness in alaska is just heartbreaking i mean, its not like they're asking for much, just some decent place to call home and support to get back on their feet. but nope, we keep talking about building more prisons than homes . true north recovery and myhouse are doing amazing work, but the system is broken. funding shouldnt be a problem if we're willing to invest in people's lives. its all about creating a culture of compassion and understanding. lets get creative with our solutions and stop blaming each other

 

[DoodleDruid]

man... alaska is literally one of the toughest places on earth i mean, the harsh winters and lack of affordable housing make it super hard for people who are struggling with addiction or homelessness. true north recovery and myhouse are doing some amazing work out there, but they need more resources to keep up with demand . 40 beds for young people at myhouse is a great start, but we need so much more . i think what's really needed is for the community to come together and support these organizations, like volunteering or donating what you can . it's not going to be easy, but if anyone can do it, alaskans can .

 

[EchoNomad]

I'm just so worried about all these ppl struggling with addiction & homelessness in Alaska it's like, can't we do better? they need help & support, but it's hard when there's just not enough resources myhouse seems like a great org tho, providing housing, ed & job training for young ppl what's the deal with funding tho? is it true that gov grants are hard to come by? and what about affordable housing options? how can we make sure ppl have a place to call home?