With a yearly impact on our economy amounting to approximately $1.2 billion, alcohol overuse is the top health issue for Alaskans. Recover Alaska is led by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Providence Alaska, State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, and Southcentral Foundation.
The focus is on long-term improvements through adjustments to systems, policies and practices. Our aim is to increase understanding about the effects of excessive alcohol use, change social norms, and to improve access to information about treatment.
Recover Alaska’s efforts to date include:
- Journalism projects raising awareness and investigating the impact of alcohol on the state. The stories can be experienced on recoveralaska.org.
- Investments in media campaigns to celebrate individual Alaskans’ recovery stories, and encourage youth to refrain from drinking.
- A comprehensive review of the statutes that govern the licensing, distribution, and sale of alcohol in Alaska.
Probation officer Terri Telkamp has a unique approach to her work in Barrow. She suspects many people who wind up on her caseload are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and has adapted in ways she hopes will lessen the likelihood that felons will re-offend. (Video by Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News for the journalism project “State of Intoxication”)
“Better Man” “Who I am today, is all about we, we can make a difference together. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about everybody.” (Video from Day001.org / Voices of Recovery)