A Montana Statewide Summary Report
Prescription opioids are often used to treat both acute and chronic pain. When used appropriately, opioids can be an effective component of a medical treatment plan.
However, serious risks (including misuse, opioid use disorder (addiction), overdoses and death) are associated with their use and are be-coming more prevalent nationwide since the 1990s when the number of prescribed opioids to patients began to grow (CDC, 2018).
A survey of 379 Montana community members conducted in early 2019 revealed that 65% of respondents state that prescription opioid mis-use is a problem in their community.
Fifty two percent of respondents state that they know someone who has misused prescription opioids to the extent that it has affected their life, and 21% either currently provide care to someone who has a prescription for opioids or had one in the past.
However, underneath these disturbing statistics, lie some hopeful data.