fentanyl

Opioid overdose deaths are trending down nationwide and early data indicates the number of 911 calls for overdoses in Montana are also falling.

A bill introduced to the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday would raise the penalties for fentanyl distribution in Montana to anywhere from two to 40 years in prison, and a $50,000 fine or both.

Montana’s highest ranking Republican officials gathered Friday to talk about the fentanyl crisis in the state and their plans to address it. Their focus is on boosting law enforcement and pushing to restrict immigration.

After 17 overdoses — including four deaths — this spring, Indigenous leaders in Montana and surrounding states look for ways to stop the fentanyl crisis and provide more treatment and care.

Nationwide, at least 103,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021, a 45% increase from 2019, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 7 of every 10 of those deaths were from synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. And overdose deaths are disproportionately affecting Native Americans

The Blackfeet Tribal Court has released the names of the nine people who were recently arrested on drug charges at the home of the Blackfeet Nation tribal chairman. The arrests came after the Blackfeet Nation declared a state of emergency following a series of fentanyl overdoses and deaths.

An FBI spokesperson said a search warrant was executed at Tribal Business Council Chairman Timothy Davis’ home, where eight individuals were arrested. Davis was not home, and was not taken into custody.

The tribe’s declaration states there were 17 opioid overdoses and four deaths on the Blackfeet Reservation in just a week’s time.

Montana health and law enforcement officials say a sharp increase in overdoses and deaths from synthetic opioids last year isn’t showing any signs of…

Missoula Police say they are investigating an undisclosed number of drug overdoses associated with pills containing fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic…