The montana opioid STR will fund training and infrastructure development for the hub and spoke model of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, medication assisted treatment (mat), peer support &…

The montana opioid STR will fund training and infrastructure development for the hub and spoke model of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, medication assisted treatment (mat), peer support & recovery services, naloxone/narcan training & distribution, and opioid disposal bag education & distribution. The project will focus on the following populations: american indians, pregnant women, veterans and individuals involved in the criminal justice system. American indians comprise the largest racial minority in montana with 6.3% of residents identifying as native american. These groups suffer from disproportionately high rates of substance use disorder, including OUD, which is often criminalized instead of treated medically. IT is estimated 90% of the individuals in jail are there for SUD related offenses. To improve montana's response to the opioid epidemic the project will focus on two primary goals: support OUD prevention programs and services in montana and develop comprehensive, evidence-based services for OUD treatment in montana. Prevention programs and services will focus on OUD needs assessment and strategic plan, increase access to and training on naloxone/narcan use for emergency medical systems and law enforcement providers, and increase access to disposal bags among individuals receiving an opioid prescription. The project will implement six hub and spoke models for OUD treatment, with hubs agreeing to implement mat and peer support and recovery services and contract with at least two smaller spoke sites to implement these services with the assistance of the mat providers at the hub sites. Montana intends to serve 2,215 clients with mat treatment at 18 hub and spoke sites by the end of the project period, with 90% of these individuals (1993 total) receiving peer support and recovery services.