BILLINGS - State health officials reported Monday that eight people between the ages of 24 and 60 died of fentanyl overdoses in Montana between May 22 and June 1, including one person in Yellowstone County. The other deaths occurred in Custer, Cascade, Gallatin, Lake and Lewis and Clark counties.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) reported the deaths Monday in an emailed alert to Montana healthcare providers, according to a press release.
The release reads in part:
"The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in conjunction with local law enforcement have identified a sharp increase in fatal overdoses across the state in the last two weeks. In the period from 5/22/2022 and 6/1/2022 there have been at least 8 fatal overdoses, likely due to fentanyl."
"The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in conjunction with local law enforcement have identified a sharp increase in fatal overdoses across the state in the last two weeks. In the period from 5/22/2022 and 6/1/2022 there have been at least 8 fatal overdoses, likely due to fentanyl."
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Blue M30 pills (likely manufactured fentanyl pressed into counterfeit pills) were located nearby several of the decedents, DPHHS said. Such blue pills containing fentanyl have been used illicitly for smoking, injection and swallowing. Fentanyl often has been mixed with other illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, so users don’t know what drugs they are getting or how potent the dose is.
Fentanyl is an opioid pain drug that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is medically approved for managing severe and chronic pain. But most cases of fentanyl deaths have been linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Fentanyl is so potent and potentially lethal that first responders are cautioned to wear gloves to avoid touching the drug.
Montana pharmacies are authorized to dispense Narcan without a prescription. Check with your local pharmacy on availability.
