Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines addressed the Senate Finance Committee on May 24, 2024, focusing on the rising number of fentanyl-related deaths in Montana, which he attributed to President Biden’s border policies. Daines stressed the role of community partnerships and peer support in addiction recovery.

"I’ve spent a lot of time on the southern border," Daines stated, criticizing what he described as insufficient resources for Border Patrol agents and highlighting the rapid influx of fentanyl from Mexican cartels. "This vote this afternoon is a political stunt," he said, urging Democrats to advocate for policy reversals by President Biden.

Daines highlighted alarming statistics from Montana, noting an increase in overdose deaths involving fentanyl from four in 2017 to eighty in 2023. He emphasized the fragmented nature of substance use disorder care and its dependency on local community needs and partnerships.

Dr. Herron provided insights into these community-specific approaches: "The needs of each community are both different and the same... Building those community partnerships... are really essential."

Daines also questioned Mr. Vezina about peer support's role in substance use disorder care, particularly for youth and young adults. Vezina affirmed: "For hundreds of years, people in recovery have helped other people recover... peers really can help people motivate to change."

Vezina shared that his organization employs around 100 staff members across five recovery centers focused on motivating young individuals to engage in and sustain their recovery processes.