May 2024, Issue 5

20,000% INCREASE IN FENTANYL SEIZED IN MONTANA

Did that get your attention?

Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task forces confiscated over 20,000 percent more fentanyl doses in 2023 than five years ago in 2019.

Let that sink in!

To learn more about why Montana is a drug trafficking target, click here.

Announcing the most recent episode of the SAPA What's Trending? podcast on 89.9 KGPR Great Falls. With the backing of Great Falls/Cascade County Crimestoppers, you're invited to dive into the current trends in drug and alcohol usage in Great Falls and Cascade County alongside us. Click here to listen to this 5-minute podcast.

AI is Turning Social Media into the Next Frontier for Suicide Prevention



Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to analyze social media posts for signs of suicidal intent, then intervene through strategies like the direct message. The hope is that, with its ability to sift through massive amounts of data, AI could pick up on trends in speech and writing that humans would never notice. Links to suicide help lines, a 24/7 chat service and stories of people who overcame mental-health crises then follow. To learn more, click here.

What is ZYN & oral nicotine pouches?

As youth e-cigarette use remains a public health concern with 2.5 million middle and high school students reporting e-cigarette use in 2022, a different type of flavored nicotine product is gaining popularity: oral nicotine pouches.

With cigarette smoking on the decline, tobacco companies have shifted focus to “smokeless” tobacco/nicotine products, including oral nicotine pouches. The pouches are sometimes referred to as a "lip pillow" or "upper decky" because of where they are placed between the lip and gum, often under the upper lip. Oral nicotine pouches are used similarly to snus – an oral pouch containing shredded tobacco leaf – but unlike snus, they contain a nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaf. Nicotine pouches contain high levels of nicotine which is harmful to young people in any form. 

How much nicotine is in oral nicotine pouches?

Nicotine concentrations differ across oral nicotine pouch brands, typically ranging from 2 mg to 8 mg of nicotine per pouch. (Traditional cigarettes contain about 1 mg of nicotine per cigarette.) Remember, manufacturers are consistently introducing new versions of nicotine pouch products that have a higher and higher concentration of nicotine.

To learn more about nicotine pouches, click here.

Montana Leads the Nation in Sobering Statistics on Drunk Driving Fatalities

In addition to fatalities, we see higher insurance rates and increasing property damage. To read more, click here.

Now is a good time to reach out to your state legislators and candidates about strengthening our DUI laws. Remember, it's not just alcohol that impairs drivers. Cannabis products (especially High THC Concentrates) are especially compromising.

Click here to look up state legislators by name or using the interactive map.

Local businesses and individuals that sell or serve alcohol face many challenges in maintaining consistent adherence to alcohol sales regulations. 

It is estimated that 93% of the individuals who fail alcohol compliance checks took an online training course. 

The Montana Department of Revenue Alcohol Beverage Control Division has many certified trainers available to teach Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service (RASS) training in person. 

This in-person training program is designed to equip your team with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to ensure responsible alcohol sales and service. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Understanding local and state alcohol regulations

• Identifying fake IDs and preventing underage sales

• Recognizing signs of intoxication and implementing appropriate intervention

• Effective communication techniques with patrons to ensure responsible on-premise consumption, if applicable

• Handling difficult situations and defusing potential conflicts

By participating in this training program, businesses and individuals will be better equipped to ensure full compliance with alcohol regulations, improve customer safety and enhance the overall experience of their patrons. Moreover, demonstrating their commitment to responsible alcohol service can have a positive impact on a business's reputation and relationships within the community.

This FREE RASS training will be on Tuesday, May 14 from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the Community Hall at Alliance for Youth. 

Pre-registration is required. All attendees are required to bring photo ID.

For more information, contact bmorrison@allianceforyouth.org or 406.952.0468.

• Smoking & Vaping in Public
• Sales of (or simply providing) nicotine and tobacco products to those under age 21 
• Sales of (or simply providing) alcohol to someone younger than 21 and/or serving ANYONE who is already intoxicated
• Unlicensed marijuana businesses
• Sales of synthetic marijuana
• Download the Crimestoppers P3 app & remain completely anonymous.

All links above will take you to the proper site for reporting a concern or violation. You will NOT get anyone into trouble by submitting a complaint. These agencies respond by having a conversation and offering support and resources to businesses who are having issues. If you don't report it, it won't be addressed.

FREE No Smoking, Vaping or Marijuana signs for your business

These 5" x 7" window signs are ideal for your business entrance doors. Ensure that your staff and customers are aware of the regulations. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of having to confront individuals who breach the law on your premises, a situation that is not enjoyable and can be volatile.

Click here to order your FREE signs.

In 2021, 25.5% of high school students in Montana used electronic vapor products on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 18%.

Source: CDC, Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System, 2021.