{"id":371433,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-heroin-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-07-18T13:16:35","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T18:16:35","slug":"alaska-heroin-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-heroin-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Penalties for Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alaska Penalties for Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioids<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Alaska state law takes a stringent and comprehensive approach to managing controlled substances. This reflects the state’s commitment to curbing drug abuse while balancing medical necessity.<\/p>\r\n

This article examines drug regulations in Alaska. It explains how Alaska law categorizes controlled substances and the corresponding penalties associated with the possession and sale of these drugs. It focuses on laws and penalties related to opioids such as heroin and fentanyl.<\/p>\r\n

For information about other drugs, see FindLaw’s articles on Alaska’s Marijuana Laws<\/a> and Alaska’s Cocaine Laws<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Opioid Epidemic in Alaska<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The opioid crisis in the United States became a public health challenge across the United States. In Alaska, from 2010 to 2017<\/a>, the state recorded 623 deaths caused by opioid overdose. Opioid-related deaths peaked in 2017, with 100 deaths in that year alone. The costs of hospitalization for opioid abuse were also significant, surpassing $23 million.<\/p>\r\n

To combat increasing heroin and opioid misuse in Alaska, the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA)<\/a> and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority<\/a> started the Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force (AOPTF)<\/a>. In 2016, they established the task force, made of representatives from public systems affected by misuse of opioids. The group developed an important recommendation that has since guided the strategies of Alaska on opioid response.<\/p>\r\n

From 2017 to 2018, the opioid response in Alaska greatly improved the communication between state agencies. This improved collaboration boosted the capacity of the state to tackle opioid drug abuse.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding Alaska’s Drug Schedules<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Alaska categorizes drugs into six schedules, ranging from IA to VIA. Learning about this classification will help you understand the legal implications of drug crimes in the state.<\/p>\r\n

The dangers posed by different controlled substances determine their classification in the drug schedule. The classifications are regardless of their medical use or health benefits.<\/p>\r\n

For instance, doctors often use fentanyl in childbirth as a potent analgesic. They also use it to manage terminal illness pain. But, despite the medical use of fentanyl, the law considers it a synthetic opioid with a high risk of fatal drug overdose and addiction. This made the drug fall under Schedule IA along with other opiates.<\/p>\r\n

Drug offenses also vary in severity depending on the type of controlled substance and what a person does with it. For example, selling heroin to a minor<\/a> is an unclassified felony. But, possession of cocaine<\/a> for personal use is a misdemeanor.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding the drug schedules is essential. The schedule directly affects law enforcement and the penalties for drug-related offenses.<\/p>\r\n

Alaska Drug Classifications<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Alaska statutes<\/a> categorize controlled substances into six classifications called schedules. They range from IA to VIA. They classify these drugs<\/a> based on the potential risk of substance abuse and the dangers posed by the drug.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule IA:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n