Gov. Gianforte, Sweet Grass County Law Enforcement Discuss Angel Initiative

Highlight expanding substance abuse treatment for Montanans

Governor's Office

BIG TIMBER, Mont. - Continuing his 56 County Tour in Sweet Grass County, Governor Greg Gianforte last week met with law enforcement officers, treatment providers, and community members to discuss the Angel Initiative, a program to help Montanans struggling with substance use disorder.

"The reality is too many Montanans struggle with addiction and substance abuse, and our law enforcement officers are on the front lines of intervening with support," Gov. Gianforte said. "To make sure they have the resources they need, we're connecting officers with plans and providers to get resources to those struggling, not jail cells."

Gov. Gianforte discussing the Angel Initiative in Sweet Grass County

A collaborative effort among Gov. Gianforte, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), participating local law enforcement agencies, and treatment providers, the Angel Initiative allows an individual struggling with addiction and substance use to go into any participating law enforcement office and receive assistance to get connected with treatment.

The toll-free Angel Line connects law enforcement to a treatment provider within the closest proximity to assess the level of care a participant may need. If the participant meets criteria for residential treatment, the Angel Initiative will assist in evaluating transportation needs with the goal of getting the participant to treatment as soon as possible.

During a roundtable held at The Grand Hotel in Big Timber, the governor convened Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg, Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, and community health and treatment providers to get an update on community involvement in the program.

According to the Sheriff, between 80 and 90 percent of the cases law enforcement officers interact with daily involve a mental health crisis.

"This initiative has sped up the path to treatment. In Big Timber, Catalyst for Change laid the groundwork and then the Angel Initiative came in and opened the doors," Sheriff Ronneberg said.

Joining the discussion was Dan Tronrud. After 20 years as county sheriff, Tronrud joined the Sweet Grass County Community Health Department in 2021 to serve as a community mental health coordinator. He spoke to the departments role in connecting those in need with the treatment available through the initiative.

"We will get people that will come into our office seeking assistance, and we also go into homes - law enforcement will call us and if they have someone willing to accept treatment, I will meet with them to figure out what they want to do and to let them know I can get them into treatment that day. Most can be into treatment within 8 to 9 hours from when they walk in our door," Tronrud said.

Programs available for those in need include inpatient and outpatient care, from clinics to treatment homes.

"Our goal is to make sure that they get the treatment they want, and when they come back to the community, that we have follow up care. That's when they can come into our office and we can provide telehealth or in-person therapy," Tronrud added.

Noting the importance of being able to provide care after the initial treatment, Sheriff Ronneberg added, "We've seen people go into treatment, successfully complete it, get out and then, if there is no after-care, they fall right back into their addictions. The care needs to be available for not just weeks or months, but for years."

Increasing Montanans' access to affordable, high quality health care and improving the delivery of behavioral health care services in the state are among the governor's top priorities. In his first week in office, Gov. Gianforte introduced the HEART Fund to invest $25 million per year to provide for a full continuum of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment programs for communities.

In 2023, the governor invested a historic $300 million to improve the delivery of behavioral health care in Montana to support needed repairs at the Montana State Hospital and expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

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