Resources in
Montana
In 2020, there were 162 opioid overdose deaths in the state of Montana.
If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.
PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS
Many Montana pharmacies provide Naloxone over the counter without a prescription. The co-pay for individuals with the state’s Medicaid plan may be charged a $4 co-pay. Call ahead with insurance details to request information about your co-pay.
GET NALOXONE MAILED TO YOU
If you are a person who uses drugs, have been recently released from jail or prison, or if you are a friend, family member, or partner of of someone who may be at high-risk for an opioid overdose, you can have naloxone mailed to you at no cost.
ONLINE NALOXONE PHARMACY
Naloxone Exchange by Script Health is an online naloxone-specific pharmacy operating in the state of Montana. Naloxone Exchange provides intramuscular, intranasal, and auto-injector formulations of naloxone.
OPEN AID ALLIANCE
Open Aid Alliance (OAA) is a harm reduction oriented service provider in Missoula. OAA is committed to hiring and building programs with the expertise of people who use the programs. OAA is the Montana affiliate partner for NEXT Naloxone.
MONTANA’S GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Good Samaritan Law amends several criminal law provisions for overdose responders including violation of order of protection, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Click on the link below to learn more.
DRUG USER ORGANIZING
The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs. Check out their wealth of resources including #reframetheblame a campaign against drug induced homicide laws.
TESTING & TREATMENT
Consolidated testing and treatment information including an interactive map of HIV, Hepatitis, STI, PrEP, Syringe Exchange, and HIV Case Management resources.
MONTANA HOTLINES
Montana has a number of crisis hotline options. Click below for more information.
TREATMENT RESOURCES
Click the link below for a list of drug treatment providers by county.
MONTANA SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Pharmacies in the state of Montana are authorized to sell syringes without a prescription. Syringe exchange programs generally have a menu of additional drug user health services available.
If you are a person who uses drugs in the state of Montana and you are unable to access clean syringes through pharmacies, syringe exchange programs or online marketplaces like OTCwholesale.com, please reach out to NEXT for assistance.