Quick answer
Fentanyl was present in 68% of Wood County's 40 overdose deaths in 2024. Within 30 miles of Parkersburg, 16 treatment facilities are listed on FindTreatment.gov, including 2 federally certified opioid treatment programs and 12 that prescribe buprenorphine. Here is how to start.
Fentanyl is the substance driving fatal overdoses in Wood County, showing up in more than two-thirds of the county's 2024 deaths. It is also the substance with the widest treatment menu: medications proven to keep people alive, several providers within a short drive, and a state system built to get naloxone into as many hands as possible. If you or someone close to you is using fentanyl - knowingly or not - the safest next step is a conversation with a treatment provider this week, not a promise to quit alone.
Fentanyl in Wood County
The ODCP's Wood County At-A-Glance 2025 profile, using state health and pharmacy data for the county's 82,757 residents, records 40 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 49 in 2023. Substances present in the 2024 deaths: fentanyl at 68%, methamphetamine at 58%, other drugs at 40%, THC at 25%, other opioids at 18%, benzodiazepines at 15%, alcohol at 10%, cocaine at 10%, and gabapentin at 3%.
Most fatal overdoses involve more than one substance. A single death can count toward several categories, and the profile counts deaths by county of occurrence rather than residence. What stays true either way: fentanyl is the through-line in Wood County, often pressed into counterfeit pills or mixed into cocaine and meth without the buyer knowing.
Two practical consequences follow:
- Every pill or powder bought outside a pharmacy is a fentanyl question. Testing strips or a conversation with a provider can tell you what you are actually taking.
- Naloxone should be within reach. West Virginia's standing order lets pharmacists dispense it without a prescription, and ODCP tracks thousands of kits distributed statewide.
Where treatment happens in Parkersburg
Westbrook Health Services anchors Wood County's treatment system as the local comprehensive behavioral healthcare provider and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. CCBHCs have an obligation to serve people regardless of ability to pay, and Westbrook runs withdrawal management, intensive outpatient treatment, and medication for opioid use disorder alongside.
Within 30 miles of downtown Parkersburg (ZIP 26101), the SAMHSA locator lists:
- 16 substance use treatment facilities
- 2 federally certified opioid treatment programs (methadone clinics)
- 12 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine
- 5 with residential programs
- 2 offering detoxification
Medication is the foundation for fentanyl and opioid use disorder. Methadone and buprenorphine reduce overdose risk and keep people in care; naltrexone blocks opioid effects for those who have completed detox. NIDA's guidance is clear that medication combined with counseling produces better retention than either alone. Ask any program directly: Which medications do you offer, and how fast can they start?
A workable sequence in Parkersburg:
- A medical assessment - same-week through a CCBHC in most cases
- Medication choice matched to your situation, started as soon as you are ready
- Structured treatment - IOP, counseling, or residential referral
- Peer support and, if useful, recovery housing through the state's certified residence locator
Paying for care
West Virginia Medicaid covers medication-assisted treatment when medically necessary, and most members access it through Mountain Health Trust managed care. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics serve people regardless of ability to pay. HELP4WV, 1-844-HELP4WV, gives free 24/7 referrals statewide.
How to start today
Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through treatment options with a person - no pressure, no commitment. Or use the form below and we will reach out:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers.
Emergency and crisis lines
Call 911 for an overdose: someone unresponsive, breathing slowly, turning blue or gray. Give naloxone if you have it - it will not harm someone who is not overdosing. For a crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, or call HELP4WV at 1-844-HELP4WV, free and confidential, any hour.
Last updated: Mon Oct 19 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
How common is fentanyl in Wood County overdose deaths?
The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy's Wood County At-A-Glance 2025 profile reports fentanyl in 68% of the county's 40 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 49 in 2023. The deaths are counted by county of occurrence, not where the person lived.
What medication-assisted treatment is available near Parkersburg?
Within 30 miles of downtown Parkersburg, the SAMHSA locator lists 2 federally certified opioid treatment programs, 12 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine, and 9 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment. Westbrook Health Services is the county's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.
Does naloxone work on a fentanyl overdose?
Yes. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses including those involving fentanyl and its analogues. West Virginia's statewide standing order lets pharmacists dispense naloxone without a prescription. Give it if someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, then call 911.
Does West Virginia Medicaid cover fentanyl addiction treatment?
Yes. West Virginia Medicaid covers medication-assisted treatment when medically necessary, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Most members receive care through Mountain Health Trust managed care.