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April 2023 l Montana State University Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

o∙pi∙oid (noun) an opium-like compound that binds to one or more of the three opioid receptors of the body (adjective) relating to opioid compounds.

When did the opioid crisis start? The Department of Health & Human Services declared a public health emergency on October 26, 2017.

factsheet graph1page

  • In 2021, there were 113 opioid overdose deaths in Montana. 
  • Adults aged 25-44 had the highest rate (58% of deaths) followed by adults aged 45-64 (38% of deaths).
  • Males accounted for 66% of these deaths. 

Source:

https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EMSTS/InjuryandOverdoseIndicators-Fatal

Common Prescription Opioids:

  • Codeine (only available in generic form)
  • Fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Abstral, Onsolis)
  • Hydrocodone (Hysingla, Zohydro ER)
  • Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo)
  • Meperidine (Demerol)
  • Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose)
  • Morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Morphabond)
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin, Oxaydo)
  • Oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet)
  • Oxycodone and Naloxone
  • Dsuvia

How is Opioid Use/Misuse Affecting Older Adults?

Most older adults can no longer metabolize drugs quickly, placing them at risk for sedation, respiratory depression, confusion, falls, toxicity and overdose. Medications can also cause memory problems, isolation and loss of motavation. Because older adults need to take mulƟple prescriptions, the chances of drug interactions are higher if misused.

Source:

asaging.org/blog/rural-older-adults-hit-hard-opioid-epidemic

How is Opioid Use/Misuse Affecting Children?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as childhood abuse & parental substance misuse, are associated with a higher risk of developing a mental and/or substance use disorder as an older adult (50+ years) (Choi et al. 2017).


Children of parents with opioid use disorder (OUD) are at an increased risk of mental health problems, drug use, accidental opioid poisoning, developing a substance use disorder, and family dissolution
resulting from parents’ incarceration, foster care placement, or loss of parent to an opioid overdose (Winstanley & Stover, 2019). 35% of foster care placement in the state of Montana is due to parental substance misuse. 

Source:

https://www.childtrends.org/publications/state-level-data-for-understanding-child-welfare-in-the-united-states

Factsheet Back Page 

April 2023 l Montana State University Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

Fact sheet graph 2 back page

In 2021, there were 62 fentanyl overdose deaths in Montana. 

Adults aged 25-44 had the highest rate (73% of deaths) followed by
adults aged 45-64 (21% of deaths).

 Males accounted for 71% of these deaths.

Source: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EMSTS/InjuryandOverdoseIndicators-Fatal

lethal dose of fentanyl

A lethal dose of fentanyl. (DEA, 2023)

Montana Opioid Facts

  • For every 100 Montanans, there are 46.1 opioid
    prescriptions wriƩen annually in the state (2021).
    https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/EMSTS/
    Data/Opioids_1pager.pdf
  • In 2019, one in ten high school students had taken
    prescripƟon drugs without a doctor's prescripƟon.
    Montana Substance Use Disorder Task Force
    Strategic Plan https://dphhs.mt.gov/opioid
  • In 2021, 22.3% of high schoolers reported being
    offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school
    property during the past 12 months. https://
    opi.mt.gov/Leadership/Data-Reporting/Youth-Risk
    -Behavior-Survey
  • Nearly $5 million was charged by Montanan
    hospitals for opioid-related hospitalizations and
    emergency departments visits in 2021. https://
    dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/EMSTS/Data/
    Opioids_1pager.pdf

Montana Fentanyl Facts

  • Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 Ɵmes stronger than
    heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. When
    used properly, under a physician’s prescription,
    fentanyl can be a safe and effective painkiller.
  • The reality is, fentanyl is being found in the illicit drug
    market through counterfeit pills, and a small dose
    can be lethal.
  • In 2021, 30% of fatal drug overdoses involved
    fentanyl. This was a 14% increase from 2020.https://
    dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/EMSTS/Data/
    Fentanyl_1pager.pdf
  • According to an April 7, 2022 press release from the
    Montana Highway Patrol, 12,079 fentanyl pills were
    seized from January 1, 2022– March 15, 2022. This is
    more than 3 times the total for all of 2021