Quick answer
Mason County recorded 11 fatal overdoses in 2024, down from 12 in 2023, with methamphetamine and fentanyl present in most. The Prestera Center is the county's designated behavioral health provider and holds federal CCBHC status, so it serves anyone regardless of ability to pay. Here is how to start care in Point Pleasant.
Last updated: Fri Oct 02 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Point Pleasant is the seat of Mason County, set where the Kanawha River empties into the Ohio River on West Virginia's western border. The county's overdose toll is smaller than the state's hardest-hit areas but still rising and falling year to year, and a certified community clinic in the county takes patients regardless of ability to pay. Here is what the data show and how to get help.
What the local overdose data show
Mason County has about 24,707 residents, and the city of Point Pleasant has roughly 3,886. The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) reports the county recorded 11 fatal overdoses in 2024, down from 12 in 2023, counted by county of occurrence.
Substances found in the 2024 deaths (one death can involve more than one) were:
- Methamphetamine at 77% and fentanyl at 69%, both well above the level of any prescription opioid.
- Other drugs at 69% and other opioids at 38%.
- Cocaine at 23%, with alcohol and THC each at 15% and benzodiazepines at 8%.
Prescribing has fallen in step. ODCP reports opioid prescription dispensing in Mason County decreased 62.9% between 2014 and 2024 - a steeper drop than the statewide figure - as the fatal-drug supply shifted from pills to illicit stimulants and fentanyl.
Treatment close to home
Mason County is served by the Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, the state-designated Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center for the county. Prestera also operates Prestera Health Services, which the state lists as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) serving the area.
That CCBHC status is the single most important fact for anyone worried about cost: CCBHCs in West Virginia must serve anyone who requests mental health or substance use care, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age. Prestera's programs include withdrawal management, outpatient counseling, and medication for opioid use disorder.
For people involved with the justice system, the Mason County Day Report Center handles community corrections. Unlike some neighboring counties, Mason County does not have a family treatment court, so families may need to look to another county for that route.
Local residential capacity is thin. The state's snapshot lists only a handful of certified treatment beds in the county and just 78 naloxone kits distributed there in the most recent reporting year, so many people travel to Huntington, Charleston, or Parkersburg for residential or detox care. The SAMHSA locator lets you search by city or ZIP code and filter by level of care and payment.
Getting to and from care
Most care is outpatient and spread across the week, and Mason County is rural, so plan for travel. Ask any program directly about transportation assistance or telehealth appointments; it is a common need along the Ohio River corridor and many providers build for it.
Paying for treatment
West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014, and West Virginia Medicaid covers behavioral health services. The median household income in Mason County is about $49,761, and roughly 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line, so cost is a genuine barrier for many households. The county's unemployment rate was 3.8% in December 2025, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prestera's CCBHC status means uninsured residents can still ask for an assessment, and SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) offers free, confidential referrals. HELP4WV is a statewide line that answers 24 hours a day and can connect you to treatment.
How to start today
- In a medical 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.
- Contact Prestera, or search findtreatment.gov by city or ZIP code for a program and level of care that fit.
- If you are uninsured, ask about the CCBHC's no-turn-away policy, sliding-scale fees, or help applying for Medicaid.
Mason County's overdose numbers are small, but each one is a family. Care is available in the county, and the door is open whether or not you can pay.
Questions about rehab in Point Pleasant
How many people die of drug overdose in Mason County?
The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy reports 11 fatal overdoses in Mason County in 2024, down from 12 in 2023. The counts are based on where the death occurred, not where the person lived.
Where can I get addiction treatment in Point Pleasant?
The Prestera Center for Mental Health Services is Mason County's state-designated Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, and its Prestera Health Services clinic holds Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic status. It offers assessment, counseling, and medication for opioid use disorder.
Will I be turned away if I can't pay?
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in West Virginia must serve anyone who requests mental health or substance use care, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age. Point Pleasant has one through Prestera.
Does West Virginia Medicaid cover addiction treatment?
Yes. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014, and the program covers behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment. Coverage rules and provider networks change, so confirm your benefits before you enroll.
Is it dangerous to stop drinking or using benzodiazepines suddenly?
Yes. Stopping alcohol 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.