Quick answer
Mahoning County recorded 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, down 28% from 134 in 2023 and the lowest since 2016. Meridian HealthCare runs a 16-bed detox and residential care in Youngstown, the county Mental Health & Recovery Board funds services, and WRTA buses are free. Here is how to begin.
Last updated: Fri Oct 02 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Youngstown anchors Ohio's Mahoning Valley, and the county's overdose toll hit its lowest point in nearly a decade in 2024: 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths, down 28% from the year before. Meridian HealthCare runs a 16-bed detox and residential care inside the city, the county's Mental Health and Recovery Board pays for services based on need, and every WRTA bus ride is free. Here is what to know.
What the county data show
Youngstown is the seat of Mahoning County, which the Census Bureau's latest sub-county estimates put at about 225,786 residents, with roughly 59,123 in Youngstown itself. Mahoning County Public Health counted 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, a 28% decrease from 134 in 2023 - the fewest since 2016. Fentanyl remains the most lethal drug in the county, involved in 74% of deaths, and of those fentanyl deaths, 92% also involved another substance, particularly cocaine.
The county's overdose pattern is distinct: health department reviews note a significant number of deaths among men with high school diplomas working blue-collar jobs, plus a slight increase in deaths among adults 50 and older. Boardman and Austintown, the suburbs just south of the city, consistently record the highest numbers of overdose fatalities in the county. Statewide, the Ohio Department of Health's 2024 report shows 2,931 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, down about 34% from 4,452 in 2023.
Mahoning County's labor market is the tightest of Ohio's five big former-industry counties tracked by BLS local data: unemployment was 5.0% in August 2026 (preliminary), down from 5.1% a year earlier.
Where treatment happens locally
Meridian HealthCare is the valley's lead addiction provider, with 50 years of history. Its Youngstown operations include a 16-bed withdrawal-management (detox) center with 24/7 supervision by medical and mental health staff, residential treatment (typically 30-45 days), intensive outpatient and outpatient programs, and medication-assisted treatment using methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Key sites: the Meridian Campus, 527 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, OH 44509 (330-797-0070), and the Donofrio Center, 550 W. Chalmers Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44511, which offers inpatient, detox, and residential treatment. Walk-in consultations are available.
The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board (222 W. Federal Street, Suite 201, Youngstown, OH 44503; 330-746-2959) oversees and pays for mental health and recovery services for county residents based on need, funding behavioral health and addiction programming through a provider network. For the full regional picture, the SAMHSA treatment locator can be searched from any Youngstown ZIP code and filtered by level of care and payment type.
Getting around Youngstown
Treatment works on a schedule, and rides matter. The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) runs 27 fixed routes and 800 bus stops across Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, Warren, and the rest of the valley - and rides are free, with no fare required, a policy extended through at least December 31, 2027. Its Federal Station downtown terminal at 340 W. Federal Street connects most routes. Ohio Medicaid members can also ask their plan about non-emergency medical transportation to covered appointments.
Paying for care
Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder services for eligible members - outpatient counseling, medication for opioid use disorder, and residential care when medically necessary - and Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014. If you are uninsured, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential referrals, and county-board-funded providers in Mahoning County serve residents at a cost based on ability to pay.
Starting this week
- Emergencies: call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 or complete . Calling is free - the referral service is paid for by treatment providers - and your insurance benefits can be checked before you commit to anything.
- Or walk in: Meridian HealthCare offers walk-in consultations (call 330-797-0070 to confirm hours).
- Search findtreatment.gov from your Youngstown ZIP code - and since WRTA rides are free, a bus fare is never the reason to skip an appointment.
Mahoning County's 2024 numbers were its best since 2016, but fentanyl is still in three-quarters of the county's fatal overdoses. The detox beds and free buses exist - the next step is one phone call.
Treatment by substance in Youngstown
Questions about rehab in Youngstown
How many overdose deaths happened in Mahoning County in 2024?
The Mahoning County Public Health department reported 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, a 28% decrease from 134 in 2023 and the lowest count since 2016. Fentanyl was involved in 74% of those deaths, and 92% of the fentanyl deaths also involved another substance - particularly cocaine. An earlier annual report listed 97 preliminary deaths for 2024.
Where can I get detox and residential treatment in Youngstown?
Meridian HealthCare, a Youngstown provider with 50 years in the Mahoning Valley, operates a 16-bed withdrawal-management (detox) center with 24/7 supervision, plus residential treatment, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and medication-assisted treatment. Its Meridian Campus is at 527 N. Meridian Road (330-797-0070) and the Donofrio Center at 550 W. Chalmers Avenue offers inpatient, detox, and residential treatment.
What does the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board do?
The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, at 222 W. Federal Street, Suite 201, Youngstown (330-746-2959), oversees and pays for mental health and recovery services for county residents based on need, funding behavioral health and addiction programming through a network of providers. Services are available to all county residents at a cost based on ability to pay.
Does Ohio Medicaid cover addiction treatment in Youngstown?
Ohio Medicaid covers substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and residential care when medically necessary. Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, so many low-income adults qualify. Confirm your enrollment and covered services before booking.
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.