Quick answer
Berkeley County recorded 33 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 71 in 2023, and cocaine was present in 64% of them - a local pattern distinct from the rest of West Virginia. East Ridge Health Systems serves the Eastern Panhandle, and Medicaid covers treatment. Here is how to start.
Last updated: Thu Oct 01 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Martinsburg is the county seat of Berkeley County, in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle - the largest county covered on this page, with about 136,000 residents. Its overdose profile differs from the rest of West Virginia in one striking way, and its death count has fallen by more than half. Here is what the data show and how to get care.
Berkeley County's overdose picture
Berkeley County's population is about 136,287. The Office of Drug Control Policy reports 33 overdose fatalities in Berkeley County in 2024, down from 71 in 2023. Earlier in the decade the county was among the hardest hit: a 2025 study in the Harm Reduction Journal notes that in 2020 Berkeley County recorded 94 fatal drug overdoses per 100,000 residents, more than triple the national rate that year, and that deaths then fell by 25% over the 12 months ending in September 2023.
What sets Berkeley County apart is the drug mix. Researchers and the state counted these substances in the county's 2024 overdose deaths (a death can involve more than one):
- Cocaine at 64% and fentanyl at 61% - in most of the state, methamphetamine is the second-most-common substance, but here cocaine dominates alongside fentanyl.
- Other drugs at 39%; other opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol at 27% each; THC at 15%; methamphetamine at 9%.
Statewide, prescription opioids are a smaller part of the picture than a decade ago: ODCP reports opioid prescription dispensing in Berkeley County fell 52% between 2014 and 2024.
Treatment in the Eastern Panhandle
East Ridge Health Systems is Berkeley County's designated Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center. It provides behavioral health and substance use treatment in the Martinsburg area, and its stated position is that everyone deserves access to care regardless of ability to pay.
Two other local structures matter:
- The Martinsburg Initiative, launched in 2017 with support from federal public health and drug enforcement agencies, links police, schools, and health services to address adverse childhood experiences and substance use. It reflects an approach that treats addiction as a community health problem, not only a criminal one.
- The Berkeley Day Report Center provides community corrections programming, another point where people are connected to assessment and treatment.
Berkeley County is not currently served by a state-certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), so the CCBHC "serve anyone regardless of ability to pay" guarantee is not in force here; ask providers directly about sliding-scale fees. The SAMHSA locator lists every licensed provider near ZIP code 25401.
Getting to appointments
The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA) is based at 446 Novak Drive in Martinsburg and serves Berkeley and Jefferson counties, including Martinsburg, Inwood, Charles Town, and Harpers Ferry. It offers deviated fixed-route service, demand response, non-emergency medical transit, and limited Saturday service - all useful for a treatment schedule that requires regular trips.
Paying for treatment
Martinsburg's median household income is about $59,555, and roughly 9.1% of residents under 65 are uninsured. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014, and Medicaid covers substance use disorder services for those who qualify. If you lack coverage, HELP4WV (24/7 by call, text, or chat) and SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP provide free, confidential referrals, and East Ridge states that care is offered regardless of ability to pay.
How to start today
- Call 911 in a medical emergency. 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 25401.
- If you are uninsured, ask about sliding-scale fees or apply for Medicaid through the state.
Berkeley County's 2024 numbers show that even a county once near the top of the state's overdose ranking can turn the trend around. The next step is the same here as anywhere: reach out, and let someone help build the plan.
Treatment by substance in Martinsburg
Questions about rehab in Martinsburg
How many overdose deaths does Berkeley County have?
The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy reports 33 overdose fatalities in Berkeley County in 2024, down from 71 in 2023. Earlier in the decade the county had one of the highest overdose death rates in West Virginia.
Where can I get addiction treatment in Martinsburg?
East Ridge Health Systems is Berkeley County's designated Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and offers behavioral health and substance use services in the Martinsburg area. Its stated policy is to serve people regardless of ability to pay.
Does West Virginia Medicaid cover addiction treatment?
Yes. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014 and the program covers behavioral health services, including treatment for substance use disorder. Check your specific plan and network before enrolling.
What is the Martinsburg Initiative?
It is a community partnership launched in 2017 and supported by federal public health and drug enforcement agencies. It connects police, schools, and health services to address adverse childhood experiences and substance use in Berkeley County.
Is it safe to stop opioids or benzodiazepines suddenly?
No. Stopping opioids or benzodiazepines abruptly after regular use can be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. Withdrawal should be managed with medical supervision. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.