Ep 2. Alaska Heroin Rush

In the second episode of season 3 of Drugs, Inc. titled "Alaska Heroin Rush," viewers get an inside look at the opioid epidemic sweeping across the 49th state.

The episode begins with a chilling statistic: Alaska has the highest per capita rate of opioid overdose deaths in the country. The show follows a group of addicts in Anchorage who use heroin to cope with the harsh realities of life in Alaska. One woman, a recovering addict, describes how the long, dark winters can be especially difficult, with little daylight and few opportunities for outdoor activities.

Despite the state's remote location, heroin is readily available in Alaska. The episode explores how drug cartels are able to smuggle drugs into the state, often using the mail system or small planes to avoid detection. The show interviews a former drug mule who describes how he would swallow balloons full of heroin to transport them from Seattle to Anchorage.

The episode also highlights the impact of heroin addiction on Alaska's native communities. One woman shares her personal story of addiction, explaining how it has devastated her family and her community. Heroin use is especially prevalent in rural parts of the state, where access to treatment is limited and local law enforcement agencies are often understaffed and underfunded.

Despite these challenges, the show introduces viewers to people on the frontlines of the fight against opioid addiction in Alaska. We meet a team of first responders who carry naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, with them at all times. The show also visits a methadone clinic in Anchorage, where patients receive medication-assisted treatment to help them overcome their addiction.

Throughout the episode, the show emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid epidemic in Alaska. This includes increasing access to treatment, improving law enforcement efforts to intercept drugs, and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to addiction in the state.

Overall, "Alaska Heroin Rush" is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact that opioid addiction can have, even in a remote and isolated state like Alaska. The episode offers a glimpse into the lives of those affected by the epidemic and highlights the urgent need for action to address this public health crisis.