The following story ran in the Missoulian and Montana Standard on April 27, 2008:

HELENA — A Democratic candidate for attorney general says Montana must do more to combat prescription drug abuse, which is now the state’s No. 1 drug priority according to a top narcotics officer.

“While our vigilance against meth cannot end, we must also mount a battle against this invisible epidemic,” said Steve Bullock, a Helena lawyer and one of three Democrats vying to be attorney general.

Bullock outlined a plan earlier this month to address the problem, which includes tracking prescriptions for certain narcotic medicines and making it a crime to seek the same narcotic prescriptions from many different doctors.

About 240 Montanans died last year after using some of the top 20 most commonly abused prescription drugs, said Mark Long, chief of the narcotics bureau in the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation. That division is under the Department of Justice, headed by the attorney general.

Only eight Montanans died last year due to methamphetamine overdose.

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Click here to read a column by Steve Bullock on the issue

Click here to listen to a Northern News Network radio story on the topic

All times are unofficial. Times may vary in post race official results.

AFSCME Council 9 Latest to Endorse AG Candidate

(Helena) Montana Council 9 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union today became the latest in a series of unions to endorse Democrat Steve Bullock for Attorney General.

“Put simply, Steve Bullock is clearly the best candidate for this important office,” said AFSME Council 9, Montana Executive Director Don Kinman. “Steve has the right combination of relevant experience, passion for the issues and boundless energy to be successful from day one as our next Attorney General. I watched him work tirelessly on the minimum wage issue in 2006 and his leadership made the difference in giving Montanans a long past-due raise. We’re pleased at AFSCME Council 9 to endorse Steve and plan to work hard to make sure he is elected,” Kinman continued.

In 2006, Bullock was the Director of Raise Montana, the group that helped write and organize the effort to raise Montana’s minimum wage. The measure was passed with 73% of the vote in November of 2006, giving an estimated 25,000 Montana workers a raise in the minimum wage for the first time in 10 years.

Bullock has served as both the Executive Assistant Attorney General and Acting Chief Deputy Attorney General. During his nearly four years with the office, Steve undertook complex civil and criminal cases – from defending challenges to Montana’s Stream Access Laws to keeping criminals behind bars.

In his statewide private practice, Bullock has worked closely with unions. “I’ve worked with Steve directly and his dedication to hard work, honesty and justice will serve him well in the campaign and as Attorney General,” Kinman concluded.

“This is an important endorsement,” Bullock said. “Working together we can build a bright future for Montana and I pledge to the members of AFSCME Council 9 and to all Montanans that this campaign will be one of which all of us can be proud,” Bullock said.

AFSME Council 9 is a statewide organization whose membership of 1,600 includes a wide range of public employees, law enforcement, and health care workers.

Listen to Kinman talk about the endorsement

(Billings) Joe Dwyer, Secretary/Treasurer of Teamsters No. 190, announced today Teamsters Local No. 190 has endorsed Democrat Steve Bullock in his bid to become Montana’s next Attorney General.

Bullock and four other candidates have filed to succeed incumbent Attorney General Mike McGrath who is prohibited by term limits from seeking a third term.

“Through his legal work and his efforts to increase the minimum wage, Steve has stood side-by-side with working families across Montana and we are proud to stand with him,” Dwyer said in announcing his 1,700 member union’s endorsement of the 42 year-old Montana native.

“This represents and important opportunity to participate in shaping the future of Montana and Steve has the experience and the vision to be a truly outstanding Attorney General,” Dwyer continued.

The only candidate with experience in an executive capacity in the Attorney General’s office, Bullock has served as both the Executive Assistant Attorney General and Acting Chief Deputy Attorney General. During his nearly four years with the office, Steve undertook complex civil and criminal cases – from defending challenges to Montana’s Stream Access Laws to keeping criminals behind bars.

In his statewide private practice, Bullock has worked closely with the Teamsters and other unions. “Steve has consistently been in the trenches, fighting for our members. I expect he will do the same for the people of Montana as our next Attorney General,” Dwyer said.“I’m honored by this important endorsement,” Bullock said. “My campaign is about standing up for Montana families and helping build a bright future where our kids are safe and prosperous. The support of Teamsters 190 is very meaningful in that effort and I’m looking forward to working closely with Joe and his membership in the coming weeks to spread our message across Montana,” Bullock concluded.

Teamsters Local No. 190 covers Southeastern Montana, and membership includes city and county employees, law enforcement employees, school bus drivers, prosecuting attorneys, truck drivers, construction workers, as well as many others.

Click here to listen to Dwyer talk about the Bullock endorsement