Data suggests opioid-related overdose deaths in Alaska down

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Preliminary numbers released by the state indicate the number of opioid-related overdose deaths in Alaska fell between 2017 and 2018.

Andy Jones, director of the state Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, told a Senate committee Thursday that this suggests steps being taken to address opioid abuse are working.

“Something's working,” Jones said, adding later: “It is exciting news to see this trend.”

But Jones said there is more work to do.

The preliminary data showed there were 100 opioid-related overdose deaths in Alaska in 2017 and 58 last year.

In 2017,...