Viewpoint: Mentorship Prevents Substance Abuse in Missoula

Stacy Houge, LCSW

Substance abuse, particularly opioid misuse, continues to devastate families in Montana. In Missoula, the crisis has impacted hundreds of families, placed a significant strain on services, and perpetuated cycles of trauma and poverty. Prevention is possible, and mentorship has proven to be a powerful tool in reducing the risk of substance misuse among vulnerable youth.

At Friends of the Children–Western Montana, we provide professional, long-term mentorship that fosters resilience in children and equips families with the support they need.

Our mission is to impact generational change by empowering youth and caregivers through one-to-one relationships with paid, professional mentors—called ‘Friends’—for 12+ years. Our services are provided in schools, homes, and communities, ensuring children and caregivers have access to essential resources, including mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Each Friend serves eight children and their families, offering trauma-informed support at no cost.

Mentorship is key to preventing substance misuse. Research shows that youth with at least one strong, positive adult role model are much less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Friends spend four hours weekly with each child, including two hours in classrooms, helping build emotional resilience and protective factors that reduce the likelihood of opioid misuse.

By fostering self-regulation and healthy coping skills, our mentors empower youth to make positive life choices. Outcomes for youth enrolled in the Friends of the Children program are notable. Friends of the Children youth experience rates of substance use and chronic depression well below community averages in Missoula and other Montana towns. Upon graduation from high school, more than 92% enroll in higher education or secure living wage employment and 98% delay parenting beyond their teen years.

Recognizing that children’s challenges are connected to their family circumstances, we take a two-generation (2Gen) approach, working with caregivers to provide wraparound support. Many of the families we serve include parents or caregivers struggling with—or at risk of—substance, abuse. Through our 2Gen programming, we connect caregivers with vital community resources, including behavioral health services, parenting workshops, and substance use treatment programs. This approach strengthens families, promotes recovery, and creates safer home environments.

Investing in prevention is critical. While Missoula has taken steps to address opioid addiction through treatment and recovery efforts, the community has not yet fully leveraged mentorship as a prevention strategy.

Prevention is the most powerful tool against substance abuse. When youth have caring, consistent mentors, they gain the confidence and skills to navigate life’s challenges without turning to drugs or alcohol. When families receive the support they need, they can provide stable, nurturing environments that foster healing and recovery.

The impact of our work extends beyond individual children—it strengthens families, revitalizes communities, and creates lasting change. To fully address the opioid crisis in Missoula, we must invest in prevention strategies that support the well-being of our youth before substance abuse begins.

Through mentorship, community collaboration, and trauma-informed care, we can prevent substance abuse before it starts and build a future where every child in Missoula has the opportunity to thrive.