HCA Meeting Minutes: April 12, 2023

Annie Gray—Community Health Educator

Speaker Topic: Harm Reduction & Narcan 

• – Opioid overdoses on the rise across Alaska
  • — What are opioids?
    • — Heroin; fentanyl; codeine; Percocet; meth 
  • – What causes an overdose?
    • — Brain receptors, naturally occurring throughout brain 
    • — When opioids used excessively, blocks brain receptors & restricts breathing; when narcan administered instantly relieves 
    • — Anyone can administer narcan 
  • – Myths of Reversing an Opioid Overdose
    • — Cold water cannot reverse overdose
    • — Do not induce vomiting 
    • — Do not inject them w/ saltwater or milk  
  • – What are the signs? (FIVE)
    • — Face: is it clammy? Cold to the touch? Difficulty speaking? 
    • — Body: limp? Fingernails purple?
    • — Responsive? 
    • — Breathing? 
    • — Heartbeat? 
  • – Administering Narcan
    • — Effects overdose bwt 30-40 min
    • — Each kit has two doses
      • — If administer one, roll ind onto their side, wait for help to arrive; if first dose not working, administer second 
    • — In extreme cases & if no response, one may administer narcan every 2 minutes 

Brian Hawkins—Port & Harbor Advisory Commission 

Speaker Topic: Update on Port & Harbor Tariffs Meeting

• – Float Upgrade
  • — Federal grants 80%; 
  • — DOT putting in for PIDE Grant—$60 million 
  • — Implementation Timeline
    • — Fall 2023 
  • — DOT trying to innovate fundraising?
    • — Transit fee (per day, per passenger; $3.50)