Montana Department of Corrections Receives $780,000 Grant To Combat Opioid Epidemic

• Alexandria Klapmeier
• August 10 2022

In July, the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) received a $780,000 grant for a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) from the Montana Board of Crime Control. The grant runs from July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023, and its purpose is to help agencies implement programs and support for those impacted by the opioid epidemic. 

"We're honored the Montana Board of Crime Control chose to award this grant to the Department of Corrections to help combat the opioid crisis in Montana," DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. "Because of this grant, we'll be able to offer more services to individuals under our supervision through our Rehabilitation and Programs Division. These programs will help decrease drug offenses and better ensure offenders are successful when they transition back to Montana communities." 

The COAP grant will allow the DOC to develop additional programs to complement current services offered and help cover reimbursement for some medications, equipment, and medication assisted treatment. The DOC's Health Services Bureau is finalizing the program offerings.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment programming is available at all DOC facilities. During intake, inmates are screened by licensed addiction counselors to determine the level of care required. The level of care for patients can vary between partial hospitalization, inpatient, or medically managed intensive inpatient services. 

"This is a wonderful opportunity to continue building on the work we've already been doing at our secure facilities to help inmates who are struggling with substance use disorders," Health Services Bureau Chief Cindy Hiner said. "We look forward to rolling out new evidence-based programming to help inmates in their recovery journey and hopefully keep them from returning to us." 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 65 percent of inmates in U.S. prisons are dealing with substance use disorders. In FY21, the top offense for male and female DOC offenders was criminal possession of dangerous drugs.