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A new ad campaign and website were unveiled on Tuesday at St. Vincent Health Care in Billings to address prescription drug abuse in Montana. The advertising uses the phrase "invisible epidemic" to refer to the problem.

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock was on hand for the debut of the ads, and he noted that misuse of prescription drugs is a contributing factor in the deaths of over 300 Montanans every year.

"Prescription drugs are important medications. Used correctly, they can alleviate a tremendous amount of suffering," Bullock said. "But, when they are misused, they can also create a tremendous amount of pain and destroy lives. Let's get the message out: prescription drugs should be saving lives - not ending them."

Bullock was joined by MT State Representative Tom Berry from Roundup; Billings physician and recovering prescription drug addict Michael Metzger; and Billings resident Annie Rice, whose brother became addicted to painkillers after receiving pain medication for a back injury.

Bullock has spearheaded several state-wide events at which people can safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs; the next such event is scheduled for September 25th.

The website in the new ad campaign can be accessed at InvisibleEpidemic.com.