fentanyl

A vaccine to prevent overdosing on fentanyl and one for heroin are in the works at the University of Montana and partner institutions.

Informants say fentanyl is selling for anywhere from 50 cents to $5 a pill, depending on location and dealer-user relationships.

A new Stateline analysis shows that U.S. residents under 40 were relatively unscathed by COVID-19 in the pandemic but fell victim to another killer: accidental drug overdose deaths.

Police in King County seized $1.2 million in drugs, including 290,000 fentanyl pills, in an operation last week, county officials said Wednesday.

A Spokane man was convicted in Missoula District Court this week on three felony counts of criminal possession with the intent to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills and a large quantity of black tar heroin, the Missoula County Attorney's Office said.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich writes, "I know nothing can bring back a loved one, but I want Montanans to know that our office remains relentless in our efforts to investigate and prosecute drug traffickers, hold them accountable, and obtain justice for Montana victims and their families."

While the state pours resources into curbing the use of opioids, the City of Missoula could make it easier for users to test their product for purity in an effort to reduce poisoning from other chemicals cut into the product.

The total number of people who have died from fentanyl overdose in Montana is unknown, but the state crime lab has been able to confirm 74 deaths caused by fentanyl in 2022.