Drug Test - Kenai, AK

Kenai, AK - Drug Testing

Notable Historical Events Related to Drug Use in Kenai, AK

In June 2023, a former employee of the Alaska Department of Corrections was charged with bringing addiction treatment drugs to an inmate at the Wildwood Pretrial Facility in Kenai. The woman, who was illegally supplying an inmate with drugs to treat opioid addiction, and one other person were also accused of having sex with someone in custody. Inmate Dylan Wright was serving a sentence for robbery and assault. During his sentence, he attacked a correctional officer who found him possessing drugs at the Kenai facility. After serving his sentence in Kenai for only three days, he was transferred to the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward. The correctional officer was sent to Central Peninsula Hospital for treatment.

Government Efforts to Address Drug Problems in Kenai, AK

From 2020 to 2021, Alaska experienced more of an increase in drug overdose deaths compared to all other states, and over the past few years, fentanyl overdoses have significantly increased in Kenai. In January 2023, Kenai Police began helping with state-wide drug enforcement efforts In response to the increasing number of overdoses. The campaign provides funding for these efforts. It encourages residents of Kenai to report drug trafficking to their local law enforcement agency. It also allows the Kenai Police Department to keep on staff a member who is part of Alaska's drug enforcement unit and pay officers overtime on drug-related cases. Kenai residents at risk for opioid overdoses or who know someone at risk can obtain Narcan, a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. Narcan is available at Cook Inlet Counseling and Public Health Nursing in Kenai.

Experts Say...

In January 2023, Lieutenant Ben Langham of the Kenai Police Department spoke about the increase in overdose deaths in Kenai and the state of Alaska. "Kenai and the Kenai area is similar to any small town in America, and there are drug-related issues," he said. He also said that it's important for residents to be aware of the dangers of fentanyl and that Kenai Police Department has seen an increase in fentanyl added to other drugs, from ibuprofen to methamphetamine. "I would encourage people that are using drugs to not use drugs," Langham added. "But those that are going to use drugs, be incredibly careful of where you're getting it from and have resources on hand that will help save your life in the event that there is an overdose."

Last updated 8/18/2023