Prescription drug abuse accounts for more than 300 deaths in Montana each year. This is 15 times more deaths in the state than meth, cocaine and heroine combined. This is why Attorney General Steve Bullock has made curbing prescription drug abuse one of his top priorities.

To this goal, the House today gave initial approval to one of the Attorney General’s key pieces of legislation. This bill creates a prescription drug registry in the state. This registry will serve as a tool for doctors and pharmacists that allow them to identify drug seekers and provide better care to their patients.  This will allow doctors to distinguish patients who are in legitimate need from those who are abusing medication.

The bill received bipartisan support, with 85 Representatives supporting the measure and only 15 opposing it.

The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee, before being considered for final approval by the House.