Montana Vape Shops Join Effort To Reduce Fatal Opioid Overdoses


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Montana Vape Shops Join Effort To Reduce Fatal Opioid Overdoses
Montana Vape Shops Join Effort To Reduce Fatal Opioid Overdoses

Montana Vape Shops Join Effort To Reduce Fatal Opioid Overdoses

In a compelling effort to combat the rising rates of fatal opioid overdoses, vape shops in Montana have joined a statewide initiative. Queen’s Palace, a vape shop in Helena, and its branch in Butte, have become the first of their kind in Montana to distribute naloxone, a drug that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

The employees at Queen’s Palace have personal connections to the devastating impact of opioids, as they have either witnessed the loss of loved ones or have gone through their own journeys of recovery. Their shared experiences have motivated them to take action and make a difference.

Opioid use and overdose deaths have been on the rise nationally, including in Montana, where fatal overdoses spiked by 39% post-COVID. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is believed to be a major contributor to the increase in overdose deaths. The situation has become so dire that Jason McNees, the head of the Helena Indian Alliance’s Medication for Opiate Use Disorder Program, personally witnesses 30 to 50 overdoses annually.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, has been available since 1971, but widespread access to the drug has only become a reality in recent years. Most states have passed naloxone access laws, enabling individuals, companies, and government agencies to order the drug for free. Studies have shown that in states with naloxone access, opioid overdose deaths have decreased by 14%. However, distribution of naloxone has faced challenges, such as the location of distribution points and public misconceptions about the drug replacing one addiction with another.

The team at Queen’s Palace aims to overcome these barriers by making naloxone readily available in their vape shops. They believe that offering naloxone is a moral obligation and a way to create a judgement-free environment for those struggling with addiction. The initiative goes beyond helping users, as anyone can unexpectedly encounter an opioid overdose situation in public places like parking lots or bathrooms.

Montana, where drug overdoses are the fourth-leading cause of death, issued a standing order for naloxone in 2017. However, implementation has been challenging, with some distribution locations being inaccessible to those in need. Queen’s Palace hopes to reshape the narrative by distributing naloxone directly from their vape shops, emphasizing the importance of community support and compassion.

The vape shop’s efforts align with a broader destigmatizing movement surrounding addiction. They aim to treat everyone who walks through their doors with equal respect and love, recognizing that addicts need non-judgmental spaces for healing and support.

By joining the effort to reduce fatal opioid overdoses, vape shops in Montana are making a significant impact on public health and safety. Their decision to distribute naloxone signals a commitment to their communities and a willingness to support those in need.


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