Quick answer
Fentanyl was present in 88% of Raleigh County's 52 overdose deaths in 2024 - among the highest shares in West Virginia - though total deaths fell from 113 in 2023. Within 25 miles of Beckley, the SAMHSA locator lists 10 facilities, 8 of them offering buprenorphine or naltrexone. Here is how to start.
Raleigh County lost 113 people to overdose in 2023 and 52 in 2024 - a real improvement. But fentanyl was present in 88% of the 2024 deaths, among the highest shares in West Virginia, which means the drug driving the problem is still there even as the toll drops. If fentanyl is part of your life in Beckley, effective medication exists locally, and one of the most important steps costs nothing at all: carrying naloxone.
What Raleigh County's numbers say
The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy's Raleigh County At-A-Glance 2025 profile, which draws on state health, pharmacy, and behavioral health data for the county's 72,379 residents, records:
- 52 overdose fatalities in 2024, down from 113 in 2023, counted by county of occurrence rather than residence
- Fentanyl present in 88% of those deaths - the single dominant substance
- Methamphetamine in 50%, other drugs in 42%, THC in 23%, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and other opioids in 19% each
- 6,538 naloxone kits shipped into the county
- 10 certified treatment beds and 274 certified recovery housing beds in the county
- Opioid prescription dispensing down 68.8% between 2014 and 2024
As everywhere in West Virginia, prescriptions fell for a decade while fentanyl deaths persisted. The fentanyl killing people in Raleigh County comes from the illicit supply - which is why naloxone and treatment access matter more than prescription monitoring alone.
Treatment options within 25 miles of Beckley
According to the SAMHSA locator, a 25-mile search from Beckley (ZIP 25801) returns 10 treatment facilities, including:
- 1 federally certified opioid treatment program - Beckley Comprehensive Treatment Center in Beaver, offering methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone
- 8 facilities offering buprenorphine, naltrexone, or both - including FMRS Health Systems in Beckley, the Beckley VA Medical Center outpatient program, and Groups Recover Together
- 3 offering detoxification services and 2 with residential or 24-hour care
FMRS Health Systems is Raleigh County's Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and a state-certified CCBHC - it must serve anyone who requests care regardless of ability to pay, residence, or age. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator before you drive.
How fentanyl changes treatment
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone as effective, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. Fentanyl raises two practical issues a clinician should manage:
- Induction timing. With heavy fentanyl tolerance, starting buprenorphine too early can trigger precipitated withdrawal. A supervised start beats going it alone.
- Polysubstance use. With methamphetamine present in 50% of the county's deaths, tell the program everything you use so the plan covers all of it.
Paying for treatment
West Virginia Medicaid covers medications for opioid use disorder and related services when medically necessary. Because FMRS is a CCBHC, it must serve anyone who requests care regardless of ability to pay. HELP4WV at 1-844-HELP4WV offers free, confidential referrals statewide, 24/7, and can help with enrollment and transportation.
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.
- Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP 25801 and filter for medication-assisted treatment.
- Ask FMRS or HELP4WV about a same-week assessment, and ask any program directly how they handle fentanyl-tolerant inductions.
Fentanyl dependence is treatable, and Raleigh County's death numbers show what happens when treatment reaches people. The first call is the hard part.
Emergency and crisis lines
If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or has pinpoint pupils, call 911 first and give naloxone if you have it. For a mental health or substance use crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or HELP4WV at 1-844-HELP4WV.
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
Does medication-assisted treatment work for fentanyl?
Yes. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are the FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, and they work against fentanyl as well. Because fentanyl tolerance runs high, a clinician-supervised induction is the safest start. Within 25 miles of Beckley, the SAMHSA locator lists 8 facilities offering buprenorphine or naltrexone.
How bad is fentanyl in Raleigh County?
The state's Raleigh County At-A-Glance 2025 profile counts 52 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 113 in 2023, with fentanyl present in 88% of them - among the highest shares of any county ODCP publishes. Methamphetamine appeared in 50%.
Where can I get fentanyl-related treatment in Beckley?
FMRS Health Systems is Raleigh County's Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. The Beckley Comprehensive Treatment Center in Beaver is a federally certified opioid treatment program offering methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. HELP4WV at 1-844-HELP4WV offers free statewide referrals 24/7.
Should I carry naloxone if fentanyl is around?
Yes. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose, including fentanyl, and cannot harm someone who is not overdosing. The state shipped 6,538 naloxone kits into Raleigh County per the 2025 county profile, and West Virginia pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a separate prescription under a statewide standing order.
What do 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. If you are in a crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, or call or text (800) 653-9376 to reach a treatment specialist.