Opioid and Stimulant Education, Outreach, and Training for Montanans

Since 2018, Montana State University Extension has been awarded three federal grants to address the prevention of opioid and stimulant misuse in rural and tribal areas across Montana. An overview of each grant can be found below along with key achievements. 

2018 USDA and SAMHSA Grant Achievements

Grant Overview

Rural Opioid Technical Assistance 2018 Grant Project: MSU Extension Rural Health &Safety Education Expansion to Provide Evidence-Based Training on Prescription Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

(Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA--Grant ended July 31, 2021)

The goal of this grant project was to partner with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, State Targeted Response (STR), State Opioid Response (SOR) recipients and the Montana Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grantees to expand capacity to address opioid use and misuse in Montana. According to a 2013 report by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, a higher prevalence of prescription opioid use was reported by American Indians than by whites.  In response to the growing need to address prescription opioid misuse among American Indians, the following Montana tribes participated in the project:  Northern Cheyanne, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck. This project allowed for expanded efforts to address prescription opioid misuse among pregnant mothers and those caring for elderly populations in rural and tribal communities across Montana. 

 

Rural Opioid Technical Assistance 2018 Grant Project: MSU Extension Rural Health &Safety Education Expansion to Provide Evidence-Based Training on Prescription Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

(Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA--Grant ended July 31, 2021)

The goal of this grant project was to partner with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, State Targeted Response (STR), State Opioid Response (SOR) recipients and the Montana Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grantees to expand capacity to address opioid use and misuse in Montana.  According to a 2013 report by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, a higher prevalence of prescription opioid use was reported by American Indians than by whites.  In response to the growing need to address prescription opioid misuse among American Indians, the following Montana tribes participated in the project:  Northern Cheyanne, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck. This project allowed for expanded efforts to address prescription opioid misuse among pregnant mothers and those caring for elderly populations in rural and tribal communities across Montana. 

Data Collection

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Focus Groups with Rural Commuities--Summary Available

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Focus Groups with Tribal Communities--Summary available upon request

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Strategic Planning with Tribal Commuities--Summary Available Upon Request

Educational Resources

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Thrive for Montana--Free Enrollment Here  (an online emotional well-being program)

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Medication Disposal Pouches Available Here (while Supplies Last)

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Project generated opioid educational materials dessiminatation summary

 

2020 SAMHSA Grant Achievements

Grant Overview

Rural Opioid Technical Assistance 2020 Grant Project: MSU Extension Expansion Project to Provide Education, Outreach and Training on Opioid and Stimulant Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for Rural and Native Montana Youth 

(Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA--funding period August 31, 2020--August 30, 2022)

The goal of this project was to better understand situations faced by rural and Native youth in Montana related to prescription opioid and stimulant misuse. According to the Montana Office of Public Instruction, 2019 Youth Risk Behavior survey, one in ten highschool students has taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.  Sustainable partnerships with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, a State Targeted Response (STR) and a State Opioid Response (SOR) recipient, the Montana Primary Care Association (MPCA), and the Montana Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grantees, allowed us to expand the capacity needed to address prescription opioid and stimulant use and misuse among youth in Montana. A significant portion of our work involved greater outreach and more effective, relevant prevention efforts for Native American youth and young adults.

Data Collection

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Focus Groups with Rural High Schools--Summary available here

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Focus Groups with Tribal Communities--Summary Available Upon Request

Technical Assistance Trainings

MSU Logo Highlighting Evidence-Based Youth Risk Behavior Programming
MSU Logo Highlighting Youth Behavior Prevention Programs Specific for Youth on and off  Tribal Reservations.
MSU Logo 'It's all in the science' Prevention program and implementation strategies

Educational Resources

MSU Logo 4H-Congress Prescription Opioid and Stimulant 45-minute presentation for youth audiences
MSU Logo Prescription Opioid and Stimulant Education and Awareness: A Presentation for Parents

 

Mini-grant Outcome Reports

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Sources of Strength

Organization Name: Arlee High School, Flathead Indian Reservation

Project Director: Deanne Smith 

Final Report

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Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids Awareness Project

Organization Name: Alliance for Youth-Great Falls 

Project Director:Thomas Risberg, Development Director

Final Report

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Creating Resilient Youth: The Power of Webs of Support.

Organization: Cayuse Prairie School District

Project Director: JackieBourraigue, School Counselor

Final Report

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Unspecified project Title 

Organization: Deer Lodge Youth Board, ReACT Youth Prevention Coalition

Project Director: Amanda Bohrer, Prevention Specialist

Final Report

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YAM (Youth Aware of Mental)) in Central Montana.

Organization: Fergus County Extension and Prevention Services

Project Directors: Sarah Bock; MSU (Montana State University) FCS Extension Agent and McKenzie Morgan, Prevention Specialist for Fergus County.

Final Report

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Talk They Hear You Youth Enhancement Campaign.

Organization: Toole County Alliance for Youth and Shelby Public Schools

Project Director: Mary Miller, Toole County Prevention Specialist.  

Final Report

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Youth Marijuana Use Prevention Media Campaign.

Organization: Healthy Missoula Youth;

Project Director: Leah Fitch-Brody, SUD Prevention Coordinator and Missoula Rx Drug Task Force Facilitator

Final Report