Mentorship helps break cycle of substance abuse

Substance abuse, particularly opioid misuse, continues to devastate families in Montana. In Lake County, which has the second-highest overdose death rate in Montana, the impact is especially severe, particularly for Indigenous youth and families facing significant challenges.

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, our program on the Flathead Reservation provides professional, long-term mentorship that fosters resilience in children and equips families with the support they need. Thanks to funding from the Lake County Opioid Abatement Trust, we are expanding our capacity to prevent opioid misuse and support families affected by substance abuse.

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-plus 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 strong, positive adult influences are 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. Friends of the Children youth experience rates of substance use and chronic depression well below community averages in Lake County 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.

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.

Addressing the root causes of trauma and addiction helps break the intergenerational cycle of substance abuse and builds a healthier, more resilient community in Lake County.

The impact of our program extends beyond individual children – it strengthens families, revitalizes communities and creates lasting change. We are grateful for the support from the Lake County Opioid Abatement Trust, which enables us to expand our work and reach more youth and caregivers in need.

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

– Nicole Callahan, Program Director, Friends of the Children Western Montana