Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness

Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Montana

Substance use is a growing concern in the state of Montana, affecting individuals and families across the lifespan. This plan outlines strategic actions that our state can take to collectively address the issue of substance use from a public health perspective.

More than 100 people die every year from drug overdose in Montana and almost 22,000 hospital or ER visits annually are attributable to alcohol and drug use. The impacts of substance use span every generation and cut across socioeconomic lines, from children in our foster care system to seniors prescribed opioids for chronic pain.

In a rural state like Montana, access to robust, evidence-based systems to prevent, treat and manage substance use disorders are limited. And yet, with tens of thousands of individuals in our state impacted by this issue, we must work collectively to develop solutions for our communities.

This plan outlines a series of targeted strategies in five key areas that Montanans can implement to lessen the impact of substance use in our state.

• Partnerships
• Prevention and Education
• Enforcement
• Monitoring
• Treatment
• Family and Community Resources