Quick answer
Marion County recorded 23 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 35 in 2023, and fentanyl was present in 68% of them. Valley HealthCare System runs the county's certified behavioral health clinic, and Fairmont's transit agency offers rides to medical appointments. Here is how to start.
Last updated: Thu Oct 01 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Fairmont is the county seat of Marion County, in north-central West Virginia, and its overdose death count has fallen for two straight years. A state-certified behavioral health clinic operates in the county, and the local transit agency runs medical transportation. Here is what the data show and how to get help.
Marion County's overdose data
Marion County's population is about 55,649. The Office of Drug Control Policy reports 23 overdose fatalities in Marion County in 2024, down from 35 in 2023, counted by county of occurrence rather than residence.
Substances present in the 2024 deaths (a single death can involve several) were:
- Fentanyl at 68% and methamphetamine at 59% - the state's two dominant substances.
- Other drugs at 41%, cocaine at 32%, other opioids at 18%, and alcohol at 14%.
- Benzodiazepines and THC at 9% each.
Prescription opioids play a much smaller role than they did a decade ago: ODCP reports opioid prescription dispensing in Marion County decreased 56.4% between 2014 and 2024. A West Virginia Department of Health county report also found the county had a low rate of multiple-provider episodes, an indicator of prescription-seeking behavior.
For statewide context, the same reporting notes that West Virginia recorded more than 800 drug-misuse deaths in 2024, a rate of about 48.9 per 100,000 - more than twice the national average.
Treatment in Fairmont
Valley HealthCare System is Marion County's designated Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and one of six state-certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in West Virginia. It serves Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor counties, and its Marion County office is at 100 Crosswind Drive in Pleasant Valley, near Fairmont. Services include counseling, clinical assessment, psychiatric care, case management, residential services, peer support, and telemedicine.
Because Valley is a CCBHC, it must serve anyone who requests mental health or substance use care regardless of ability to pay, residence, or age - an important guarantee for the roughly 17.4% of Fairmont residents living below the poverty line. Marion County's community corrections program is the Marion County Day Report Center.
The SAMHSA treatment locator lists all licensed providers near ZIP code 26554, filterable by level of care and payment.
Getting to appointments
Treatment usually means repeated appointments, so transportation is part of the plan. The Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority (FMCTA) serves Marion County from its office at 400 Quincy Street in Fairmont. Alongside fixed routes, it offers Flex service, paratransit, Dial-A-Ride, and non-emergency medical transportation - the last of which is often exactly what a treatment schedule requires. Service runs Monday through Friday with limited Saturday hours.
Paying for treatment
Fairmont's median household income is about $63,032, slightly above the West Virginia median, but cost still matters. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014, and Medicaid covers substance use disorder services for adults who qualify. For residents without coverage, Valley's CCBHC status means care is not refused for inability to pay, and HELP4WV plus the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP provide free, confidential referrals.
How to start today
- In an 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.
- Search findtreatment.gov from ZIP code 26554.
- If you are uninsured, ask Valley about a walk-in assessment or start a Medicaid application.
Marion County's numbers are moving in the right direction, and a certified clinic that must serve anyone who asks is close by. One call is enough to begin.
Treatment by substance in Fairmont
Questions about rehab in Fairmont
How many overdose deaths happen in Marion County?
The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy reports 23 overdose fatalities in Marion County in 2024, down from 35 in 2023, counted by county of occurrence rather than residence.
Where can I get addiction treatment in Fairmont?
Valley HealthCare System is Marion County's Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and a state-certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Its Marion County office is at 100 Crosswind Drive in Pleasant Valley, near Fairmont, and services include counseling, psychiatric care, case management, and peer support.
Does West Virginia Medicaid cover addiction treatment?
Yes. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014, and the program covers behavioral health services such as outpatient treatment and case management. Confirm your coverage and provider network before you enroll.
Can I get care in Fairmont without insurance?
Yes, in many cases. Valley HealthCare System is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, and CCBHCs must serve anyone who requests mental health or substance use care regardless of ability to pay, residence, or age.
Is it dangerous to stop opioids or benzodiazepines suddenly?
Yes. Stopping opioids or benzodiazepines abruptly after regular use can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Withdrawal should be managed with medical supervision. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or having trouble breathing.