Big Sky Times

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, organized a Family Summit in Billings to address the drug overdose epidemic impacting the state. The summit brought together over a dozen families from various parts of Montana to engage with local, state, and federal officials on combating the drug crisis.

"I’m thankful to the families who shared their stories today. I will continue to do everything I can as attorney general to combat the drug crisis in Montana for the parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends who have lost a loved one to an overdose, and to keep it from happening to anyone else," Attorney General Knudsen expressed.

DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky highlighted the severity of the national drug overdose epidemic, stating, "The most recent numbers from the CDC reveal an estimated 112,323 Americans died due to a drug overdose or poisoning for the 12-months ending June 2023, and the State of Montana has not been immune from this national epidemic."

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich commended the families for sharing their heartbreaking experiences and emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking. "I am grateful to the families who courageously shared their deeply personal stories of losing a loved one to a drug overdose and how the scourge of fentanyl has affected their lives. Our office continues to prioritize pursuing and prosecuting drug traffickers who are bringing this poison into our communities and to our Indian Reservations," Laslovich stated.

The discussions at the summit included insights from narcotics officers, officials from the Montana Department of Justice, prosecutors, and prevention and advocacy experts. The focus was on raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and strategies to address the fentanyl overdose crisis in Montana.

Fentanyl-related deaths in Montana have been on the rise, with the State Crime Lab reporting 80 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2023, marking a significant increase from previous years. Additionally, there has been a surge in fentanyl seizures, with the Department of Justice announcing a substantial increase in seized doses from 2021 to 2023.

The Family Summit served as a platform for affected families to voice their concerns and experiences, while also allowing stakeholders to collaborate on solutions to combat the drug crisis and prevent further tragedies in Montana communities.