Study Reports More Montanans Die from Prescription Drugs Than Car Wrecks

Cyndy Koures

   State officials say prescription drug overdoses kill more Montanans each year than either methamphetamine
or highway crashes.

   Attormey General Steve Bullock called a prescription drug abuse summit Tuesday in Helena. He says he hopes the summit will raise public awareness of the issue and support for a statewide prescription drug monitoring
program . That program would set up a database to prevent people from doctor shopping to get prescription painkillers.

     Bullock's office got a $1.2 million federal grant. And he appointed a six-member prescription drug diversion unit that
will focus on education, investigation and prosecuting prescription drug abusers and dealers.