Natasha Gamache tried a lot of different things to find recovery from substance misuse. Finally, after listening to one woman's story, she found the solution she needed. Here's her story. She hopes it might be the one that will help others find their answers, too. 

Solutions Desk

Natasha's full story

Natasha grew up surrounded by alcohol and abuse. By 11, she was drinking to help manage her anxiety and depression. Now, 26 years later, she’s in recovery and in college. Her journey was long and filled with partial solutions, but the final 12-steps helped her begin to heal.

12-steps and lots of detours on the road to recovery

Traumatic childhood experiences can lead to problems later in life, like addiction. But these problems don't define a person, and stories that start with trauma can end with hope. A new set of murals illustrates the transformation of seven Alaskans, and the process of creating them transformed the artists themselves.

Transforming perspectives on trauma through paintings of hope

A new coffee house is teaching at-risk youth life and work skills. This story was produced by residents of Covenant House, a youth shelter in Anchorage.

Covey Cafe gives young people a chance to shine

Substance use disorders are diseases caused by many factors. Preventing and treating them requires input from everyone, not just law enforcement and health professionals. Those are some of the key messages in the state’s new opioid action plan. On Talk of Alaska, we’ll discuss the plan and the ways you can be part of the solutions.

Taking action to reduce substance misuse

Karen Mitchell is the Behavioral Health Aide in Noatak, a small village in the Northwest Arctic. Twenty-five years ago that would have seemed impossible. She shares her story of recovery.

Envisioning recovery

Alexandria Niksik was only out of prison for 16 days before being sent back. But that brief trip home taught her what she needed to remain sober long into the future.

When a step back into prison is really a jump forward

Being incarcerated is hard. So is being released. How are people from rural Alaska connecting with their communities and their cultures while in prison, and preparing for what’s next? What’s happening outside of prisons to help make the transition more successful for everyone in the community? Join us for a conversation inside Anvil Mountain Correctional Center in Nome, Alaska to hear from inmates, staff and other community members.

Community in Unity: Building connections

Chickaloon is just a little tribe with a little reach, but through the power of collaboration, they're trying to make a big difference for the people of Sutton.

How little organizations make a big difference through collaboration

Fifty years ago, Alaska had a really big problem: it was hard to get medical care in small, rural communities that could only be reached by snow machine or airplane. To solve it, the Indian Health Service worked with local governments and Congress to create the Community Health Aide Program. And it's still making communities healthier.

Filling in the medical gaps with Community Health Aides

A few years ago, residents of the Mat-Su Borough identified child abuse and neglect as one of the area’s major problems. In response community organizations teamed up with government agencies, schools and judges to develop a comprehensive solution and build connections throughout the region. And it's working. Find out how they did it.

Working together to end child abuse

The U.S. Surgeon General spoke in Alaska recently about the opioid epidemic. He says the way to solve the problem is to build partnerships across sectors because solving the opioid epidemic means solving larger issues, too.

Stopping the opioid epidemic through new partnerships

One way to make money in a slow economy is to fill a gap in the market. But a local spice blend company is doing more than building bank accounts--it's also connecting people with Native dishes in a new way.

Spicing up connections to traditional foods

Over the past few centuries in the United States, laws and policies have favored some racial and ethnic groups over others. It's led to racial inequity in Alaska and beyond. Now different groups are working together to educate people about these problems and develop solutions.

Challenging systemic racism in Alaska

Inmates at Spring Creek Correctional Center are producing beautiful art, like silver bracelets and intricate paintings. But like prisoners across the country, they have few places to sell it. 

Prison art market has its limits

Alaska, like every other state, has problems. But it also has solutions. Some are new and innovative, and some are centuries old. Each week Alaska Public Media's Solutions Desk will highlight what's happening around the state that's making our communities stronger.

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Solutions Desk

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