Dayton, with a population of roughly 165,000, is situated in Montgomery County, Ohio. Dayton has been at the forefront of the U.S. heroin market since it became a growing issue nationwide in the late 1990s. Rather than distributing their drugs in large cities like New York or Chicago, Mexican drug traffickers have targeted Dayton, Ohio, as a key location for the direct distribution of heroin and, more recently, fentanyl.
Montgomery County has drug overdose rates among the highest in Ohio, a state already experiencing a high incidence of deadly overdoses.
Where heroin has traditionally been the primary drug problem in Dayton, OH, evolving markets mean that fentanyl is now much more prevalent. According to data from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, heroin is now found in only 19% of overdoses, while fentanyl is implicated in 78% of all lethal overdoses in the county.
What Are the Addiction Statistics for Dayton Ohio?
Statistics on drug use in Dayton, Ohio indicate that rates of illicit substance use disorders increased from 2015 to 2017, and again from 2017 to 2019 among Ohio over-12s. In the latter period, the average annual rate of addictions to illicit drugs was 3.6%, surpassing both the regional and national averages.
For the same demographic, the rate of alcohol use disorders showed a decline from 2002 to 2004 and from 2017 to 2019. The average annual rate for 2017 to 2019 was recorded at 5.1% (503,000 people), aligning closely with the national average.
Additionally, the prevalence of opioid use disorders among this group increased between the periods of 2015 to 2017 and 2017 to 2019, with the 2017 to 2019 period showing a rate of 1.4% (142,000 people), double the national average.
The annual average percentage of those misusing prescription pain relievers remained stable between 2017 to 2019, at 4.5% (444,000 individuals), again exceeding both regional and national averages.
The rate of marijuana use disorder remained consistent from 2017 to 2019, with a 1.6% annual average (153,000 people), in line with the national average.
On a single day in 2019, Ohio had 66,296 people enrolled in substance use treatment programs, an increase from 45,129 in 2015.
Opioid Crisis in Dayton Ohio
The opioid crisis in Dayton, like many other cities, can trace its roots back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when there was a significant increase in the prescribing of opioid pain relievers. These medications, while effective for pain management, also carry a high risk of dependence and addiction. Over time, the misuse of prescription opioids opened the door to more potent and dangerous substances like heroin and fentanyl, further inflaming the problem.
Dayton has experienced harsh consequences, with a marked increase in overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and significant strain on social services and public health systems. Families and communities have been torn apart by the loss and suffering associated with opioid misuse and addiction.
That said, Dayton has implemented innovative strategies and programs aimed at reducing harm, supporting recovery, and preventing substance misuse. These efforts include increased access to naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, the expansion of addiction treatment and recovery services, and community-based prevention and education programs.
Overdose Statistics in Dayton Ohio
Montgomery County saw an 8.9% reduction in accidental drug overdose deaths in 2022, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Despite this progress, there was a spike in overdose cases around the New Year, with 11 incidents reported by area hospitals from December 31 to January 1, 2023
Dayton and Montgomery County’s Community Overdose Action Team has issued two warnings about opioid overdose and the need for increased access to Narcan since the initiation of their alert system in June.
In 2022, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office recorded 307 accidental drug overdose deaths, a 9% drop from the 337 fatalities in 2021, and a dramatic reduction from the 566 deaths reported in 2017.
What Is Being Done About Addiction in Ohio?
Ohio has initiated several efforts to combat addiction, showcasing a multi-pronged approach to addressing this critical issue. Governor Mike DeWine announced an investment of $100 million of federal SOS (State Opioid and Stimulant Response) funding aimed at fighting addiction and preventing related deaths. Additionally, the state has launched new data dashboards to monitor overdose and substance-use measures and is promoting suicide prevention across higher education institutions.
The White House has requested an additional $86 million to support Ohio’s fight against addiction, showing ongoing commitment at both the state and federal levels to address this crisis. The state’s legal framework also plays a role, with regulations ensuring that medication-assisted treatment for addiction is properly administered and not misused for pain or other medical conditions.
Get Help for Drug & Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery Centers
If you need support and guidance addressing addiction to drugs or alcohol, reach out to Ohio Recovery Centers.
We treat addictions in an outpatient setting, enabling you to engage with therapy sessions scheduled around your existing commitments. For those who need more structure in their recovery, we also offer more intensive outpatient programs.
All Ohio Recovery Centers treatment programs utilize a blend of medication-assisted treatment, talk therapies, counseling, and holistic therapies.
Call 877-679-2132 for immediate assistance tackling addiction in Ohio.
