Southwest Montana News

Montana has initiated a new program to address stimulant use disorders, including methamphetamine addiction. Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Adam Meier announced the launch of the TReatment of Users of STimulants (TRUST) program, which involves six contracted treatment providers. This pilot project aims to expand the state's capacity for treating stimulant use disorders over the next two years.

Governor Gianforte emphasized the severe impact of meth and other stimulants in Montana, stating, "The drug crisis we face is ripping apart our families and devastating our communities." He highlighted the importance of investing in treatment to mitigate these effects and support long-term recovery.

The TRUST program is part of Governor Gianforte’s Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Initiative. It receives primary funding from a nearly $1 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Additionally, there is a proposal to utilize Medicaid funding to make this evidence-based practice more accessible upon federal approval.

In its first year, TRUST will involve two state-approved SUD treatment providers, three Federally Qualified Health Centers, and one hospital. These organizations are required to have trained clinicians participate in all mentoring sessions. The participating providers include Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Alternatives, Inc., Rimrock Foundation in Billings, Bullhook Community Health Center in Havre, Southwest Montana Community Health Center in Butte, and Alluvion Health in Great Falls.

Megan Bailly from Alluvion Health commented on the program's alignment with their integrated care model: “The TRUST program aligns with Alluvion Health’s integrated care model to help patients get through the most difficult parts of recovery."

TRUST employs various behavioral health strategies such as contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, community reinforcement approach, motivational interviewing, physical exercise, and self-help mutual support. The program includes an initial 12-week intensive intervention followed by up to nine months of continued support.

Dr. Richard Rawson from UCLA provided training for pilot sites and emphasized that contingency management is a powerful method for helping individuals stop using stimulant drugs. He stated that "contingency management is...the most effective approach for helping people addicted to methamphetamine and cocaine develop a successful recovery program."

The initiative involves collaboration between DPHHS, Montana Primary Care Association (MPCA), Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana (BHAM), Dr. Rawson's team at UCLA, Al Hasson MSW, Michael McDonell PhD from Washington State University among others.

According to Meier's estimates approximately 79 thousand Montanans have substance use disorders though only a fraction seek treatment annually. The DPHHS plans further expansion by contracting additional providers by January 2022 contingent upon Medicaid billing approval allowing broader access across multiple sites statewide.

“The pilot project will provide DPHHS the opportunity to test out the program across the state," said Meier regarding evaluating its efficacy within different provider settings throughout Montana.