Substance abuse pervades communities throughout Alaska, and the Kenai Peninsula is no exception. The cost to the state’s economy was estimated at about $1.2 billion in 2010, according to a new report from the McDowell Group research and consulting firm.

The report identifies productivity losses as the most expensive category affecting the state. Lost productivity occurs when individuals do not contribute to the economy through employment earnings or household services like childcare, according to the report.

A vehicle struck a 17-year-old male Tuesday in Kenai when two teenagers attempted to cross the Kenai Spur Highway during rush hour.

The Kenai Police Department received a report about the accident at 3:44 p.m. The victim was conscious and breathing when responders arrived, said Sgt. Kelly George.

The male did not appear to have sustained any life-threatening injuries. As of 5:30 p.m., he was being evaluated at Central Peninsula Hospital, George said.

A grassroots effort to improve the highways connecting Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula idled forward Tuesday in the state’s largest city.

Girdwood 2020, the primary facilitator of the Seward and Kenai Peninsula Highway Transportation Corridor Safety Initiative, held its second summit to gather a group of proactive stakeholders to advocate for safer roadways.

State officials are holding a Seward Highway Safety Summit today in Anchorage. The summit is the next step in gathering a group of stakeholders to advocate for a safer highway from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula.

The summit is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library’s assembly chambers. All who travel the Seward Highway are invited.

In April 2012, Girdwood 2020, the primary facilitator of the Seward/Kenai Peninsula Transportation Corridor Safety Initiative, and Sen. Mark Begich sponsored an initial summit in Soldotna.