Attorney General shares his concerns across the state

For Attorney General Steve Bullock, there are two main issues that threaten the people of Montana he was elected to protect and serve, prescription pill abuse and consumer fraud in email or telemarketing scams.

To help raise awareness of these issues, Bullock has been touring the state, speaking to groups at the highest risks.

"It's a great opportunity to raise awareness of some of the challenges that we've been facing, and I think communities all across the state have been facing, " Bullock said.

The first half of his day in Havre was spent with area youth, first at an assembly at Havre High School and later at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

HHS Principal Jerry Vandersloot said he thought it was great that Bullock had time for the students.

"I think it is a good opportunity for our kids to interface with one of our state leaders, " Vandersloot said.

Sophomore Dakota Rose Greshock understands the message that prescription addiction is a serious problem.

"I think people should stop doing drugs and stop drinking too, " Greshock said. "It's just so addicting. "

After meeting with youths, Bullock headed over to the prescription pill drop-off and sensitive document shredding that was set up in the Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods parking lot from 4 to 6 p. m.

He wrapped up his visit at Northern Montana Hospital, where he spoke to local health care staff and volunteers about these problems.

"We thought it was so important because so many of our seniors are affected by these issues, " Claire Wendland, director of volunteers in the Senior Connection Program, said. "So many are taken advantage of. "

Bullock shared stories he's encountered in both of these problems.

One woman, he said, had to keep her pills in the waist of her nylons, otherwise they would be stolen.

Another, a victim of fraud, was an 80-year-old woman who had received calls about renewing a warranty on a car. She ended up with 10 warranty extension policies when she didn't even own a car.

"In Montana, we're easier targets because we make an assumption that we can trust people, " Bullock said. "I don't want to be saying that everyone is out to get us and don't trust your neighbors.

"The answer is that we just need to be a little careful with our information. "