Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services officials have identified an increase in overdoses statewide.
“This current overdose spike serves as a startling reminder of the deadly consequences that fentanyl and opioid overdoses have for our communities,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said in a release. “Our administration is dedicated to ensuring Montanans have the awareness and necessary resources to combat this issue that has taken far too many precious lives.”
In March, there were 95 reports of suspected opioid overdoses statewide, compared to an average of about 69 per month in 2024, according to DPHHS.
The last time there were this many reported overdoses in a single month was August 2023.
Current DPHHS data from March 1 to April 15, 2025, includes an estimated seven fatal and 132 nonfatal overdoses.
April was on track to have higher-than-average suspected opioid overdoses, according to DPHHS.
A review of case reports suggested that most overdoses involved fentanyl, though confirmation through laboratory testing is not always available. Case reports include anecdotal confirmation of fentanyl use, but also include reports of other drug use, such as methamphetamine or cocaine, according to DPHHS.
Cases in this latest spike do not appear to be concentrated in a particular county or region of the state. Based on location data, most overdoses occurred in communities along major transportation routes, such as Interstates 90 and 15 and U.S. Highways 93 and 2.
The counties with 10 or more suspected overdoses include Cascade, Flathead, Missoula, Silver Bow and Yellowstone, according to DPPHS.
Overall, according to data provided to The Electric by the Cascade County City-County Health Department, overdoses have been trending downward annually statewide.
- In 2022, the total suspected overdoses statewide was 1,158 with 177 suspected fatal overdoses. Naloxone was administered 420 times that year, according to the health data.
- In 2023, the total number of statewide overdoses dropped to 1,084 with 148 suspected fatal overdoses. Naloxone was administered 387 times that year.
- In 2024, there were 832 total suspected overdoses statewide, of which 58 were fatal suspected overdoses, according to the health data. Naloxone was administered 330 times that year.
- So far in 2025, through April 18, there were 257 suspected overdoses statewide with 20 fatal suspected overdoses and naloxone has been administered 103 times, according to CCHD.
According to CCHD data provided to The Electric, local numbers are:
- In Cascade County, there were 133 total suspected overdoses in 2022 with 20 fatal suspected overdoses. Naloxone was administered 41 times that year.
- In 2023, there were 143 suspected overdoses in Cascade County with 13 fatal suspected overdoses and naloxone was administered 54 times.
- In 2024, there were 90 suspected overdoses in the county with six fatal suspected overdoses and naloxone was administered 40 times, according to CCHD.
- So far this year, as of April 18, there have been 30 suspected overdoses in the county with zero fatal suspected overdoses and naloxone had been administered 14 times, according to CCHD.
According to Great Falls Police Department data, officers responded to 110 overdose calls from January 2023 to April 29, 2025. Of those, 16 were fatal, according to their call logs.
There was an overdose fatality reported on April 21, according to GFPD data.
“DPHHS wants to remind the public that when someone is experiencing an overdose, the timely administration of the emergency medication naloxone may successfully reverse their symptoms and save their life,” DPHHS public health physician Dr. Maggie Cook-Shimanek said in a release.
CCHD offers free naloxone to the public and there are several locations offering the medication in the community.
Naloxone reversal may only be temporary, so emergency response should always be activated in instances of suspected overdose.
Signs of an overdose include:
- Loss of consciousness or falling asleep
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Pale, blue, or cold skin
- Slow to no heartbeat
“If you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately and administer naloxone if it is available,” Cook-Shimanek said.
DPHHS officials advise that, if you use opioids, make sure a trusted friend or family member is aware, ensure they know how to administer naloxone, and that you have naloxone on hand in the event there is an overdose.
“DPHHS uses several data sources to track potential opioid overdoses in near-real-time. These are preliminary data, and not every report is ultimately determined to be an overdose. Counts are subject to change as cases are verified. Given the consequential nature of an opioid overdose to health and safety, it is important communities are informed when increased overdose activity is noted,” according to DPHHS.
