Quick answer
Lorain County reported 62 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 118 in 2023, and bystanders gave naloxone in 27.9% of overdose cases that year. The MHARS Board plans and funds the county's treatment network, and a Lorain County Transit fixed-route ride costs $2. Here is how to start care in Lorain.
Last updated: Sat Oct 03 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Lorain is the largest city in Lorain County, sitting on Lake Erie where the Black River meets the lake about 30 miles west of Cleveland. The county's overdose death count fell sharply in 2024, and the public treatment system has a single, clearly identifiable entry point. Here is the local data, who provides care, and how to get to it.
What the local overdose data show
Lorain County is home to about 322,030 people; the city of Lorain has roughly 65,751 residents. Lorain County Public Health reported 62 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 118 in 2023 - nearly a 47% drop in a single year.
The decline followed years of improvement. County data presented in the local Community Health Assessment show overdose deaths fell from a near-record 144 in 2021 to 126 in 2022 and 119 in 2023, and the county's health commissioner said the 2024 total would slip below that.
The reason officials point to is naloxone, the medication that reverses an opioid overdose. According to the Community Health Assessment data, a bystander - not a first responder - administered naloxone in 27.9% of overdose cases in 2024, up from 5.6% in 2022. Of all overdose responses in 2024, only 2.1% ended in death after lifesaving measures were tried, about a fifth of the rate two years earlier.
Treatment in Lorain County
The Mental Health, Addiction & Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is the local authority that plans, funds, and monitors behavioral health services. It was created in July 2019 by combining the county's Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board (founded 1989) with its mental health board (founded 1967). Its office is at 1173 North Ridge Road East, Suite 101, Lorain, OH 44055, and the board line is 440-233-2020.
Two practical points about the local system:
- The board does not treat people directly. It contracts with and funds a network of certified agencies across the county, so a call to the board is a way to be pointed at a specific program rather than a place to be enrolled on the spot.
- Naloxone is free and easy to get. Project DAWN, run through Lorain County Public Health, offers free rescue kits by mail or in person at the health department, 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the full regional picture, the SAMHSA treatment locator lists about 21 substance use treatment facilities within 25 miles of central Lorain. You can filter by service type, payment option, and distance, and search from ZIP code 44052.
Getting to appointments
Most treatment is outpatient - counseling, group sessions, and medication visits spread across the week - so transportation matters. Lorain County Transit (LCT) runs fixed routes and the on-demand ViaLC service.
- Fixed-route fare is $2 for adults, and $1 for seniors 65 and over, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, students, and children ages 3 through 12.
- Veterans ride free with a valid veterans ID, and an adult all-day pass is $4.50.
- Dial-A-Ride, a curb-to-curb option, costs $9 per one-way trip for adults and $4 for seniors and students.
Ask any program up front whether it helps with transportation or offers telehealth visits, since many do plan for it.
Paying for treatment
Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder services for eligible members, and Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014. Lorain County's unemployment rate was 1.8% in August 2026 (preliminary) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are uninsured, ask each program about sliding-scale fees, and remember that SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) gives 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.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Contact the MHARS Board at 440-233-2020 to be directed to a funded program, or search findtreatment.gov from ZIP code 44052.
- If you use opioids, get a free naloxone kit through Project DAWN before you need it.
Lorain County cut its overdose deaths by nearly half in a single year, with neighbors - not paramedics - doing much of the saving. That same community is set up to help you find care.
Questions about rehab in Lorain
How many people die of drug overdose in Lorain County?
Lorain County Public Health reported 62 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 118 in 2023. County data had already fallen from 144 deaths in 2021 to 126 in 2022 and 119 in 2023. Local officials credit wider naloxone use: a bystander gave naloxone in 27.9% of 2024 overdose cases, up from 5.6% in 2022.
Who runs addiction treatment in Lorain County?
The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is the local authority that plans, funds, and monitors behavioral health services. It was formed in 2019 by merging the county's alcohol and drug board with its mental health board. Its office is at 1173 North Ridge Road East, Suite 101, in Lorain.
Does Ohio Medicaid cover rehab in Lorain?
Yes. Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder services, including outpatient counseling, medication for opioid use disorder, and residential treatment when medically necessary. Benefits and provider networks change, so confirm your coverage before you enroll.
Where can I get free naloxone in Lorain County?
Lorain County Public Health distributes free naloxone rescue kits through Project DAWN. You can order a kit by mail or pick one up at the health department at 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Is it dangerous to stop opioids or benzodiazepines suddenly?
Yes. After regular use, stopping opioids or benzodiazepines abruptly can be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. Withdrawal should be managed with medical supervision. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or having trouble breathing.