OVERVIEW: Drug overdose deaths are on the rise nationally and are the third leading cause of injury-related death in Montana, accounting for 1,334 deaths between 2003 and 2014.
The rate of opioid overdose death in Montana was just below the national average of 5.5 per 100,000 in 2013-2014, at 5.4 deaths per 100,000.
Montana Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Issues:
- Since 2000, the rate of prescription drug overdose deaths has doubled, with more than 700 deaths from prescription opioid overdose alone.
- For every 100 Montanans, there are 83 painkiller prescriptions written annually in the state.
- In 2015, over 15% of high schoolers in Montana reported having taken a prescription medication without a prescription in their lifetime.
