Listening sessions announced to address substance abuse disorders
As a way to address Montana’s growing number of people with substance abuse disorders, state and health agencies will host a series of listening sessions scattered throughout the state this summer.
“Substance use disorders are among the most serious and costly health problems facing Montana communities,” said Dr. Aaron Wernham, the Montana Healthcare Foundation chief executive officer.
Starting earlier this month, there are four listening sessions throughout Montana, including one in Kalispell on June 22. Each session will gather input from stakeholders to address the impact of substance abuse in Montana. The series will lead to a substance abuse and addiction summit later this fall.
Wernham said the sessions are designed to explore the challenges and opportunities communities face related to substance-abuse prevention and treatment, and to identify solutions tailored to Montana.
The foundation is partnering with the Department of Justice, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Public Health and Human Services to host the public meetings. The sessions will also include educators, health-care professionals, judges, business owners, and people who have had experiences with substance abuse.
The sessions will complement current efforts being led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Health and Human Services to improve outcomes for people struggling with substance-use disorders.
The attorney general’s office launched the Aid Montana initiative in April to develop a strategy to combat substance use disorders in Montana.
“We have a substance abuse epidemic that’s crippling our state, and what’s currently being done to address this problem clearly isn’t enough,” Attorney General Tim Fox said.
He said the foundation’s work in organizing listening sessions will allow policymakers to form solutions.
Gov. Steve Bullock said the sessions are an example of “Montana-made solutions to fight substance abuse.”
“As a father and as governor, I’m committed to implementing the best tools to tackle this challenge — giving Montanans the treatment they need, while looking out for the most vulnerable among us,” Bullock said.
Wernham said aside from the listening sessions, the effort will include collecting information from stakeholders through structured interviews about substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and its effects on Montana communities. He said there will also be focus groups with people with a substance-use disorder.
The effort also includes researching and compiling information about best practice models for substance disorder prevention and treatment from other states and localities.
The fall summit will provide an opportunity for key local, state, and tribal partners to begin to form approaches to better address prevention and treatment in Montana.
There will be 30 minutes for public comment at the end of each listening session. The foundation will create a final report identifying potential solutions to the problem.
Upcoming listening sessions include:
- Thursday, June 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell.
- Thursday, July 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton, 27 N. 27th St., Billings.
- Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Havre Inn and Suites, 1425 U.S. 2 N.W., Havre.
For more information, visit https://dojmt.gov/aid-montana.
Reporter Katheryn Houghton can be reached at 758-4431 or khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.