Montana Drug Statistics and Facts

• In 2010, there were 7,744 individuals who entered alcohol and drug rehabilitation in the state of Montana, 68.5 percent were males and 31.5 percent were females.
• Rates of the past year dependence on illegal drugs have consequently been among the highest tin the country of Montana for individuals age 12 to 17.
• On the global measure of any previous year dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs, Montanas rates have consistently been among the highest in the country. In 2005 and 2006, the rates were within the highest in the country for all age groups.
• Previous year alcohol dependence rates in Montana have consistently been within the highest in the country and in 2005 and 2006 they were within the highest for all age groups.
• Around 10 percent of Montana residents reported last month illegal drug use; the national average was 8 percent.
• There were 2,003 people, in 2010, who entered a rehabilitation program for alcohol only with an additional 2,699 people that suffered from alcohol dependence mixed with a secondary drug, in Montana.
• Marijuana is the most commonly cited drug among primary drug rehabilitation admissions in Montana. The largest population dependent on Marijuana are 12 to 17 year olds at 29.5 percent, in 2010.
• There were 498 Montana residents went to drug treatment for amphetamine use in 2010. The largest age group that entered treatment for amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction was the 26 to 30 year olds at 23.7 percent.
• Matching the national trend for prescription drug addiction and abuse, in Montana, there were 841 individuals that were admitted into treatment for Opiates other than Heroin in 2010, 45.9 percent were male, and 54.1 percent were female.
• In Montana, as a direct consequence of drug use, 132 individuals died in 2007. This is compared to the number of individuals in Montana that died from car accidents (268) and firearms (139) in the same year.
• Montana is the third-highest in the nation with 10 percent of teens admitting using prescription drugs within the last 30 days.
• In Montana, prescription drugs are the drug of choice for 12 and 13 year-olds.
• The total number of individuals admitted for drug treatment in Montana for year 2001 was 4,485, representing a 1.2% increase from year 2000.
• The 2001 Montana Youth Risk Survey results indicated that 9% of high school students had used Cocaine at some point.
• Great Falls and Billings, Montana are the primary cities with Cocaine use, even though Crack and Cocaine use are also considered being an extremely serious concern on Native American reservations, as well.
• Heroin availability is limited in Montana and the state reports that trafficking and sales of Heroin through 2000 (most recent information available) are declining.
• Meth is increasingly available throughout Montana. Results from a survey conducted by the state of Montana indicated that 13% of high school students reported using Meth during 2001.
• Law enforcement officers across Montana identify Methamphetamine as the most serious drug problem in their jurisdictions.
• Meth cases represented 62.3% of all drug violators appearing in Montana courts during 2001.
• A recent study conducted by the Montana State Addictive and Mental Disorders Division indicated that 47% of all high school students, had used Marijuana, in their lifetime. The study also found that 27% described themselves as regular users.