Quick answer
Fentanyl was involved in 74% of Mahoning County's 96 unintentional overdose deaths in 2024, and in 92% of those deaths another drug was present too. Within 30 miles of Youngstown, 47 treatment facilities offer care, including 32 that prescribe buprenorphine. Naloxone and medication both work - here is how to start.
Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug in the Mahoning Valley: it was involved in 74% of Mahoning County's 96 unintentional overdose deaths in 2024, and in 92% of those deaths another substance was present too, most often cocaine. The direction of travel is good - preliminary 2025 figures put county deaths at 64, a third straight yearly decline - but fentanyl in the supply is not going anywhere. Here is what works against it and where to find care in Youngstown.
What the local numbers show
Two local sources line up:
- Mahoning County Public Health reported 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, down 28% from 134 in 2023 and the fewest since 2016. Fentanyl was involved in 74% of them, and 92% of the fentanyl deaths also involved another substance, particularly cocaine.
- Preliminary 2025 county data reported through the Mental Health and Recovery Board put overdose deaths at 64, down from 94 in 2024 - a third consecutive yearly decrease. Fentanyl and cocaine were again the top contributing substances, appearing in 69% of 2025 deaths.
The state picture helps explain why: Ohio's 2024 overdose report found fentanyl involved in 69% of the state's unintentional overdose deaths - a 42% drop in fentanyl-related deaths from 2023, the lowest share since 2016, but still the majority.
What actually works against fentanyl
Medication works. For opioid use disorder - which is what fentanyl causes - the evidence behind buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone is stronger than for almost any other area of addiction medicine. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or to overdose than people who go without treatment.
Within 30 miles of downtown Youngstown, the SAMHSA locator lists 47 substance use treatment facilities, including 9 offering detoxification, 11 with residential programs, and 40 offering outpatient care - about 32 that prescribe buprenorphine and 8 that dispense methadone through an opioid treatment program. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.
Meridian HealthCare, a Youngstown provider with 50 years in the Valley, operates a 16-bed withdrawal-management center with 24/7 medical staffing at its Meridian Campus, 527 N. Meridian Road, plus outpatient and medication-assisted treatment.
Naloxone works, and it works against fentanyl. It may take multiple doses to reverse a fentanyl overdose, so give a dose, call 911, give another after 2-3 minutes if the person does not respond, and stay with them. Naloxone is available through Ohio's Project DAWN program, over the counter at pharmacies, and from Mahoning County Public Health and the Mental Health & Recovery Board. It cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing.
Why the cocaine overlap matters here
The single most common pairing in Mahoning County's fentanyl deaths is fentanyl plus cocaine. Cocaine wears off more slowly than fentanyl, so a person can overdose again as the naloxone fades - which is why staying with the person until help arrives matters as much as the first dose. If you use both, the same rule applies twice over: never use alone, and keep naloxone within reach.
A peer recovery program at St. Elizabeth Health Center's emergency room - where a certified peer specialist meets overdose patients at the bedside and connects them to treatment - is one of the reasons county health officials credit for the recent decline in deaths.
How to start today
- If someone is overdosing, call 911 now and give naloxone. For a 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.
- Search findtreatment.gov with a Youngstown ZIP code such as 44506 and filter for medication-assisted treatment.
- Ask any program directly how fast they can start buprenorphine - many can begin the same week.
Fentanyl changed the risk of every bag and pill in the Valley, but it did not change the outcome: opioid use disorder responds to treatment. The first call is the hard part.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.
Last updated: Mon Oct 19 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
How big a role does fentanyl play in Youngstown overdoses?
Mahoning County Public Health reports fentanyl was involved in 74% of the county's 96 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2024, and 92% of those fentanyl deaths also involved another substance, particularly cocaine. Preliminary county data put 2025 deaths at 64, with fentanyl and cocaine again the top contributing substances.
What treatment works for fentanyl and opioid use disorder?
Medication - buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone - is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder, including fentanyl involvement. Research compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die of an overdose than people who go without treatment.
How many treatment facilities are near Youngstown?
The SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov locator lists 47 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of downtown Youngstown, including 9 offering detoxification, 11 with residential programs, and 40 offering outpatient care. About 32 prescribe buprenorphine and 8 dispense methadone through an opioid treatment program.
Where can I get naloxone in Youngstown?
Naloxone is available through Ohio's Project DAWN program, over the counter at many pharmacies, and from local partners including Mahoning County Public Health and the Mental Health & Recovery Board. Carry it if you or anyone around you may come in contact with fentanyl - it will not harm someone who is not overdosing.
What should I do if someone overdoses right now?
Call 911 immediately, give naloxone if you have it, and stay with the person - naloxone wears off before opioids do, so a second dose may be needed. For a mental health or substance use crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988 or the Help Network of Northeast Ohio at 330-747-2696, or call or text (800) 653-9376 to reach a treatment specialist.