Gov. Gianforte Discusses Improving Public Safety, Increasing Treatment Access in Great Falls

• May 19 2022

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – As the crisis at the U.S. southern border contributes to increased drug interdictions, drug use, and violent crime in Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte today convened a roundtable with law enforcement officers, local officials, and treatment providers to discuss efforts to improve public safety in Great Falls.

“In the first few months of this year, the Montana Highway Patrol had already reported a threefold increase in fentanyl seizures from all of last year as a result of the Biden administration’s open border policies. These illicit, deadly drugs are putting Montanans’ lives at risk, driving up crime, and making our communities less secure,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Fortunately, the folks I spoke to this morning are committed to holding drug dealers accountable and getting these drugs off our streets, while also increasing treatment options to help folks struggling with addiction get clean, sober, and healthy.” 

Gov. Gianforte hears from District Court Judge David Grubich during roundtable discussion

In early April, the Great Falls Police Department reported a sharp increase in drug overdoses this year, with 33 suspected overdoses and three deaths between January 1 and April 5.

Since taking office, the governor has prioritized increasing access to community-based treatment services to build safer, stronger communities, creating both the HEART Fund and Angel Initiative.

“While there’s no silver bullet to end the drug epidemic, there are steps we can take to confront it. The Angel Initiative and HEART Fund are two of them, and we’re thrilled to have had Sheriff Slaughter and Cascade County as our first partner through the Angel Initiative,” Gov. Gianforte continued.

A collaborative effort among Governor Gianforte, DPHHS, participating law enforcement entities, and treatment providers, the Angel Initiative allows someone who is struggling with addiction and substance use to go into any participating law enforcement office and receive assistance to connected with treatment. To date, over 20 Montana sheriffs’ offices have committed to join the effort.

“When you have a conversation on public safety, it’s not a one issue thing,” Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said. “As crime is ever-changing, we are responsible to ever change our strategies to fight that crime.”

The HEART Fund, introduced by the governor during his first week in office as a central component of his budget, invests $25 million per year to provide a full continuum of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for communities.

“Successful prevention and treatment programs help people who have hit rock bottom regain their health and rebuild their lives,” the governor emphasized.

Participants in the roundtable included Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter, Great Falls City Attorney Jeff Hindoien, Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki, Great Falls City Commissioner Susan Wolff, Great Falls Police Chief Jeff Newton, 8^th Judicial District Court Judge David Grubich, CEO of the Center for Mental Health Sydney Blair, Great Falls Rescue Mission Development Director Carrie Matter, and Jim Anderson, Public Safety Chief for the Montana Department of Corrections. 

Gov. Gianforte convened similar roundtables focused on public safety with local officials in Billings and Missoula earlier this year.

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