The state’s chief law enforcement official has directed the Montana Healthcare Foundation to study the availability of drug treatment services across the state.  Attorney General and director of the state Department of Justice Tim Fox said Thursday he wants to look at areas where his office can increase funding or services for the treatment of drug offenders.  He also wants the foundation to study how hospitals can better identify patients with health problems that might not appear drug related, but point to an addiction.

 

Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito has introduced a program in which he hopes to direct first-time offenders into treatment within two weeks of their arrest.  Fox hopes to implement drug treatment protocols for offenders on tribal lands as well, without infringing on the sovereignty of those nations.  The Montana Department of Justice has a memorandum of understanding with some reservations, like the Blackfeet and Flathead.

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