Take Action at Home or in Your Community

Join the fight against Montana’s epidemic of drug addiction, misuse and abuse. Here are some helpful resources to get informed to prevent and respond to drug addiction, misuse and abuse in your home and in your community.

Information and Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse

NIDA is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a part of the government that funds health and science research. NIDA supports studies of drug abuse and addiction in order to prevent people from using drugs in the first place and to treat people who already have drug-related problems.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. The mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention

Methamphetamine

NIDA: Methamphetamine facts

DEA: Identify Meth (image gallery)

A Guide for Parents: Methamphetamine

Opioids

NIDA: Pain Medicine Facts

DEA/Discovery Education: Operation Prevention

Montana DPHHS: Opioid Overdose Prevention

Resolve Montana: How to Prevent Abuse

Montana Medical Association: Prescription Abuse – Know Your Dose

Find Treatment

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP

Words Matter

Click here for a complete list of words that work and words to avoid to help de-stigmatize the conversation surrounding drug addiction, misuse and abuse.

What to Watch For

People with drug use problems might:

  • Change their friends a lot
  • Spend a lot of time alone
  • Choose not to spend time with family and friends like they used to
  • Lose interest in their favorite things
  • Not take care of themselves—for example, not take showers, change clothes, or brush their teeth
  • Be really tired and sad
  • Have changes in eating habits (eating more or eating less)
  • Be very energetic, talk fast, or say things that don’t make sense
  • Be in a bad mood
  • Quickly change between feeling bad and feeling good
  • Sleep at strange hours
  • Miss important appointments
  • Have problems at work or at school
  • Have problems in personal or family relationships

– Source: NIDA