Governor Gianforte Recognizes National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Governor Greg Gianforte has proclaimed Aug. 21 as Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day to remember those lost to fentanyl overdoses and increase awareness about the risks of fentanyl.

“While we continue to call on the [Biden/Harris] administration to stop the flow of illegal drugs across the border, the State of Montana is committed to strengthening penalties for criminals who peddle this poison and providing support to families who have lost a loved one to the drug epidemic. Susan and I ask every Montanan to join us today in raising awareness about the rampant problem of fentanyl,” Gov. Gianforte said.

In 2022, Montana saw 95 fentanyl overdoses, the highest on record. Prior to 2020, the state averaged about eight deaths per year.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, more than three million fentanyl pills were seized in 2023, a 78 percent year-over-year increase, in the region that includes Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. Since 2019, Montana has experienced an 11,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures.

Several governors across the nation join Gov. Gianforte in observing Aug. 21 as National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day.

In 2023, DEA seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 390 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The 2024 fentanyl seizures represent over 227 million deadly doses.

Working with the legislature, Gov. Gianforte last year increased penalties for drug trafficking, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence of two years of jail time, a $50,000 fine, or both, including for anyone convicted of trafficking fentanyl in the state of Montana.

Captain Nate Kamerman, commander for the Missouri River Drug Task Force, added, “The spike in fentanyl related overdoses stands as a testament to how big this problem has become. Taking a day to recognize how fentanyl has impacted lives across our state will open Montanans eyes to what Law Enforcement deals with every day. The continued support from Governor Gianforte and State Legislators is instrumental to effectively combating this plague.”

Gov. Gianforte also emphasized the importance of treatment for Montanans struggling with addiction.

Addressing the substance use crisis in Montana is one of the governor’s top priorities. In his first week in office, the governor introduced the HEART Fund which invests $25 million per year to provide for a full continuum of behavioral health and treatment programs for communities.

Following through on his commitment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services system, the governor recently announced a $400,000 investment to install 24 Wellness Kiosks throughout the state which will dispense and distribute fentanyl testing strips and naloxone.

A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million generational investment is expanding intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

The governor’s proclamation may be viewed below:

WHEREAS, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, with just two milligrams of fentanyl considered a potentially lethal dose; and

WHEREAS, powdered fentanyl looks like many other drugs, and is commonly mixed with other illicit drugs that resemble legitimate prescription opioids; and

WHEREAS, since 2019, Montana has experienced a 20,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures, with over double the amount of fentanyl seized in 2023 compared to 2022; and

WHEREAS, deaths due to fentanyl have also increased in Montana in recent years, with fatal overdoses up 1,900 percent since 2017; and

WHEREAS, to crack down on fentanyl traffickers, we strengthened Montana law in 2023 to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of two years of jail time, a $50,000 fine, or both, for anyone convicted of trafficking fentanyl in Montana;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Gianforte, Governor of the State of Montana, do hereby proclaim August 21, 2024

FENTANYL PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY in Montana to promote public awareness on the dangers of fentanyl.

/s/ Greg Gianforte Governor