As those of us who know Bozeman well are likely aware, our town has proudly become known as one of the “it” places to be in America. The surrounding rivers, mountains, and Montana’s notorious big skies have been a continuous draw to our state since its inception, with nearby Yellowstone National Park contributing its own unique allure. Within the captivating wonder of these surroundings, Bozeman has nestled in and become a micropolitan resort destination all its own.

With an energetic, talented, and engaging mix of cultural, educational, and professional populations it is now the fastest growing community in the nation (as well as one of the nation’s favorite college and ski towns). Indeed, according to several recent articles in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, while other cities across Montana showed 2 percent growth in 2016, Bozeman and Gallatin County more than doubled that at nearly 4.6 percent. In addition, Montana State University and Yellowstone National Park currently boast record breaking enrollment and visitation numbers, contributing to well over 4 million visitors to Gallatin County this year.

Bozeman has long been a national favorite and has been included among many “top” lists put together by dozens of groups across the country, including Travel & Leisure magazine, Autolist, PolicyGenius, TimeOut, College Rank and smartasset, as well as a multitude of others over the years. We have the arts, we have recreation, we have quality education options, technology and environmental agencies, we have state of the art medical facilities with world class quality of care, and we have our 4th and 5th generation Montana families still ranching on the outskirts of town. We have it all. We are an innovative and creative conglomeration of people who are passionate about our lifestyle, our happiness, our health, and our overall well-being. It’s as if we’re leaning toward the cutting edge of the future, standing on the cowboy shoulders of days gone by. And in true testimony to that old school cowboy ethos, we are also passionate about our beer!

According to the Montana Brewers Association, beer production has nearly doubled from 87,000 barrels in 2010 to 130,000 in 2013 and the number of breweries has tripled since 2010. Bozeman is now home to seven of them and our local beer scene was even admired recently on WebstaurantStore.com.


All of these accolades are a wonderful testament to the sincere charm and distinction of our community. However, things align a little differently and become quite telling when combined with other area statistics. According to city-data.com, 52.2 percent of Bozeman’s population is male with a median age range of 27.6 years old, while the median age for the 47.8 percent of women is 39.6 years. And a September 2016 study done by the Gallatin County DUI Task Force for calendar year 2014, with cooperation from the Gallatin County Courts, revealed that the most prevalent age for DUI is 18-29, followed by age 30-39. Additionally, national statistics show that 4 out of 5 impaired drivers are men.

It is also important to note that Montana has the highest rate of suicide in the nation (according to the MT DPHHS), and as of May 2016 is tied for #1 with North Dakota for the highest number of DUI arrests and fatalities. Unfortunately, it seems the flip-side of the Bozeman coin is as dark as the up-side is bright.

This extreme dichotomy in rankings is certainly worth contemplating, if not investigating. Is it somehow related to the age-old disparity of the “haves” and the “have-nots”? Or is it something more, something deeper? Has the time-worn “tough guy” persona (gotta have a gun on your hip and a beer in your hand to be a “real” man) run its course and taken a toll? Does Gary Wagner’s comment that, “It never ceases to amaze me that the rugged individualism Montanans like to characterize themselves as precludes common sense.”, somehow holds water?

It would seem that if we want to maintain our quality of life, as well as Bozeman’s esteemed reputation, then it’s important for us as a community to explore these questions and to be proactive about advocating for the safety and care of our fellow citizens. Fortunately, Bozeman and Gallatin County already have an incredible network of people attempting to do just that. The list of resources available in our community is remarkable: from HRDC and its many programs to the Elks Drug Awareness program, from the MSU SAFE Coalition to the Help Center, from HAVEN to the Gallatin County DUI Task Force, there are already many area people working hard to advocate for responsible use and improved community health. Bozeman is rich with counselors, is home to the C-CODA organization, ADSGC, the Gallatin Mental Health Center, the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, the Streamline Bus service, Family Promise, the State’s only Court Services and Restorative Justice programs and many, many others. In addition, our local and state law enforcement officers are a bedrock of integrity and loyal support in all areas of need.

The bottom line here is the human condition. Addictions are prevalent and are on the rise, as are the subsequent behaviors that go with them: thefts, DUI’s, overdoses, sexual assault, suicide, domestic violence. We must remember that there are many people partaking in the incredible amenities of our community, who are often doing so amid extreme emotional and/or psychological pain, in a subconscious effort to alleviate or at least numb that pain. Numbing pain (in any form) seems harmless in the moment and can undoubtedly be fun, but when loved ones and/or family member’s (children’s) needs for love and connection go unmet over time due to an addict’s behavior, further cycles of addiction can take root by creating the need for those loved ones to then numb their own pain. And so the cycle continues. People hurting, numbing, “dumbing-down”; sometimes for years, sometimes entire lifetimes.

We must remember that what we do makes a powerful statement. We must remember our children and really consider the messages we’re giving them; that taking them with us while they watch us imbibe then driving home with them not only says it’s ok to drive impaired, but also that neither their well being nor anyone else’s really matters.

We must get back to basics and identify our values, individually and collectively. Yes, we love to have fun and enjoy life, we love creative self-expression, we love our freedom, and our choices, but at what cost? The law of physics remains: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Our choices affect people. Even people we don’t know. Let us not be remiss in this truth, and subsequently in taking personal responsibility to choose actions that say (and show) we truly care.

One person at a time, let’s each make the personal commitment to do what’s right, to change the culture of DUI’s and suicide, mental illness and addiction in Bozeman and in Montana, whatever that may mean, however slowly. Let’s commit to getting help for ourselves or others when needed, to drinking/using responsibly, to swallowing that good ol’ boy Montana pride and asking for a ride, to reporting the drunk driver endangering himself and/or others, and to raising the bar to set a new standard on all sides of the coin for the wonderful people in our amazing town and our incredibly beautiful state.   

Kelley Parker-Wathne is a member of the MSU SAFE Coalition, a long time volunteer with the Gallatin County Restorative Justice Program, former HAVEN volunteer, and is currently the Gallatin County DUI Task Force Coordinator. She can be reached at kelley.parker@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-585-1492.