Quick answer
Butler County recorded 88 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 130 in 2023 and 184 in 2022, according to the county coroner. The Butler County MHARS Board funds the treatment network and runs a 24/7 crisis line at 1-844-427-4747, and BCRTA fixed-route buses are free. Here is how to start care in Hamilton.
Last updated: Sat Oct 03 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Hamilton is the seat of Butler County, a river city on the Great Miami about 25 miles north of Cincinnati. Overdose deaths here have fallen for three straight years, the county's behavioral health board funds a wide provider network, and the local bus system costs nothing to ride. Here is what the data show and how to get into care.
What the county data show
Butler County has about 399,542 residents, and roughly 63,953 people live in Hamilton itself. The Butler County Coroner's Office counted 88 drug overdose deaths in 2024. Length is in the trend: the county health district reports 184 deaths in 2022, 130 in 2023, and 88 in 2024 - a 52% decline over two years - with 79 suspected overdose deaths through December 1, 2025, on pace for another drop.
Public health officials attribute much of the fall to naloxone being everywhere. The county's harm reduction program has installed naloxone cabinets and vending machines around Butler County and trained more residents to carry and use the medication. Narcan is also sold over the counter at pharmacies.
One caveat worth knowing: the coroner's counts include deaths that occurred in Butler County regardless of where the person lived, and the numbers are provisional until toxicology results are final.
Who provides treatment in Hamilton
The Butler County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services (MHARS) Board oversees prevention, treatment, and recovery services for county residents. It does not treat people directly - it contracts with community agencies across Butler County to deliver prevention, outpatient, crisis, and recovery services.
Start here:
- Call or text the MHARS crisis hotline at 1-844-427-4747, available around the clock, or dial 988.
- Reach the board office at 513-860-9240 for information and referrals during business hours.
- Ask about the county's Provider Service Guides, which list funded agencies with the services each one offers.
Sojourner Recovery Services, a Butler County provider with program offices at 515 Dayton Street in Hamilton, is CARF-accredited (first accredited in 2009) and offers outpatient and residential substance use and mental health treatment.
For a wider search, the SAMHSA treatment locator lists about 59 substance use treatment facilities within 25 miles of central Hamilton. Search from ZIP code 45011 and filter by level of care and payment option.
Getting around Butler County
Treatment works on a schedule, so rides matter. The Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) connects Hamilton, Middletown, and Oxford.
- Fixed-route bus service is free on the county regional routes, the Middletown routes, and the Miami University/Oxford routes.
- BGo, a curb-to-curb on-demand service, is $5 per one-way trip.
- CincyLink, the express route toward Cincinnati, costs $5 per ride - reduced to $3 starting January 19, 2026 - and is paid with the EZfare app, not cash.
- Children under 12 ride free with an adult, and ADA paratransit is free on the R, U, and P routes.
Paying for treatment
Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder services for eligible members, and Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014. Butler County's unemployment rate was 3.6% in August 2026 (preliminary) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you have no coverage, ask each program about sliding-scale fees; the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential referrals.
How to start today
- In a medical emergency, call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or call the county line at 1-844-427-4747.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 or complete . Calling is free - the referral service is paid for by treatment providers - and your benefits can be checked before you commit.
- Contact the Butler County MHARS Board at 513-860-9240 for a referral to a funded provider.
- Search findtreatment.gov from ZIP code 45011, and check BCRTA for a free ride to your appointment.
Butler County has cut its overdose deaths by more than half since 2022. The network that made that happen is open to anyone in Hamilton who asks.
Questions about rehab in Hamilton
How many overdose deaths does Butler County have?
The Butler County Coroner's Office recorded 88 drug overdose deaths in 2024. The county health district reports a steady decline: 184 deaths in 2022, 130 in 2023, and 88 in 2024, with 79 suspected deaths reported through December 1, 2025.
Who do I call for addiction help in Hamilton, Ohio?
The Butler County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services (MHARS) Board funds the local treatment network and operates a crisis hotline you can call or text 24/7 at 1-844-427-4747. The national 988 line also works, and SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357.
Does Ohio Medicaid cover rehab in Hamilton?
Yes. Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder treatment, including outpatient counseling, medication for opioid use disorder, and residential care when medically necessary. Check your enrollment and covered services before booking a program.
How do I get to treatment without a car in Butler County?
Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) fixed-route buses are free to ride, including routes through Hamilton, Middletown, and Oxford. BGo, a curb-to-curb on-demand service, costs $5 per one-way trip, and ADA paratransit on the R and U routes is free.
Is it safe to stop drinking or using benzodiazepines on my own?
No. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines abruptly after heavy, regular use can cause dangerous withdrawal and should be done with medical supervision. In an emergency call 911; for a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.