While Mentor is one of the most beloved and prosperous suburbs of Cleveland, it is not immune to the current drug and opioid epidemics sweeping the state of Ohio and the rest of the nation. Both illegal and prescription drugs are adding to the growing number of lethal overdoses and drug-related arrests in Mentor. Fortunately, there is hope. If you’re looking for a drug rehab facility with inpatient and outpatient services, counseling, detox, and dual diagnosis treatment near Mentor, Ohio, then Prosperity Haven is just a phone call away.

That said, it is important to understand exactly how drugs are affecting the citizens of Mentor, Ohio. In today’s guide, we will cover some of the latest drug abuse statistics in Mentor, as well as programs utilized to combat the crisis. Additionally, we will discuss some of the most pressing issues faced by people dealing with drug addiction in Mentor.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Mentor

Founded in 1797, Mentor has a long and storied history. Former President James Garfield owned a home in Mentor, which has since been transformed into a national historic site. Despite having a population of a little more than 47,000 today, Mentor is one of the most popular suburbs in Cleveland and one of the best cities in which to live in all of Ohio.

Though Mentor is known as a family-friendly, waterfront city in Lake County, it has also struggled with drug-related crime and death. Roughly 10% of illicit drug use in Mentor can be attributed to marijuana, but there are also large percentages of opioid abusers, which has led to a rise in fentanyl overdose in the area. Fentanyl is approximately 100 times stronger than morphine and highly addictive, making it a powerful killer among virtually all socioeconomic classes in Mentor and the rest of Lake County.

Mentor Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Ohio

When compared to the rest of Ohio, Mentor falls somewhere in the middle, though death rates have continued to rise over the years. Between 2010 and 2018, drug-related deaths in Lake County nearly doubled, peaking at 94 annual deaths in 2016. However, it’s important to remember that this statistic includes all of Lake County. When looking at the total population, Mentor only accounts for about 20% of the entire county, with relatively few deaths originating in the city alone.

Mentor still sees drug abuse and overdose rates that are higher than the state average, but many larger cities and districts in Ohio have much higher drug-related death rates. For example, the average death rate among drug abusers in Mentor rests around 29%, with that rate increasing as drugs like heroin have been combined with synthetic opioids like fentanyl to increase the desired effects and lower costs. However, when comparing this rate to other cities in Ohio, it is still relatively low. Cities like Columbus have recorded annual death rates closer to 36%, while smaller cities like Batavia have recorded rates as high as 52% within the last few years.

Alternatively, cities like Wapakoneta and Ashland have recorded overdose death rates as low as 2% and 7%, respectively. The variations in death rates are often directly related to the availability of drugs like heroin and fentanyl, as well as the ease of access to medical and drug rehab facilities in the area. However, factors like poverty, age demographics, and crime rates can also impact the number of overdoses and the percentage of drug-related deaths.

In short, Mentor does not experience the highest rates of drug abuse or death in Ohio, nor does it see the lowest rates. The truth is that Mentor is much like many other small cities throughout Ohio and the nation. Even with a thriving economy and a strong middle-class, many people suffer from addiction to prescription painkillers and illegal drugs.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Mentor

Due to the relatively small population, the city of Mentor local government relies on some Lake County-level programs, as well as anti-drug initiatives used throughout the larger Cleveland metropolitan area. However, the Mentor city government still puts forth an effort to combat substance abuse in the area. Its most notable campaign is Operation SCRAM (Security Camera Registration and Mapping).

Essentially, Operation SCRAM allows individuals and businesses to use private video footage to help deter and solve local crimes. Participation is completely voluntary, but those who do register with the program give the Mentor Police Department permission to know the location of the surveillance camera. This way, if there is a report of drug-related crime in a given area, the police can quickly find out if there is any video evidence to investigate.

Though Operation SCRAM is meant to deter crime in general, Mentor also has initiatives that directly combat drug abuse. The most notable program is the installation of pharmaceutical drug disposal bins at local police stations. Not only does this provide people with a safe way to dispose of excess or expired medications (thereby reducing the risk of addiction or overdose), but it also helps keep the local water supply clean by reducing the number of drugs flushed down toilets.

Finally, Mentor also has the Safety Forces Communication Center. This establishment fields all 9-1-1 calls for Mentor residents, as well as certain types of non-emergency calls. Having its own Safety Forces Communication Center ensures that, in the event of a drug-related incident or overdose, Mentor emergency specialists can dispatch paramedics and other necessary personnel within minutes.

Mentor, Ohio Addiction Statistics

Thus far, we have discussed the fact that drugs continue to have a negative impact on residents of Mentor. However, when you look at the actual statistics, they provide a much more accurate picture of both the addiction rates in the city. Here are a few of the latest and most relevant drug and overdose findings in Mentor, Ohio as of 2020:

• Annual Overdoses: 120
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 85%
  • Illicit Substances: 9%
  • Poisoning: 4%
  • Prescription Drugs: 2%
• Annual Drug-Related Deaths: 34

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Mentor, Ohio

As you can see, there is a significant need for drug rehab and treatment in Mentor, Ohio. Though the population is relatively small, drug abuse statistics based on arrests and hospital records indicate that there is a much larger problem under the surface. Moreover, the strength and number of illicit drugs continue to grow every year, making it more difficult for law enforcement and medical professionals to stem the rising tide of drug-related incidents.

Thankfully, Mentor residents do have access to high-quality drug and alcohol rehabilitation. If you or someone you love is facing addiction and needs help, Prosperity Haven is just a 5-minute drive from Mentor, making it easy for victims of drug abuse to be admitted for inpatient or outpatient treatments. In addition to detox and counseling, Prosperity Haven offers dual diagnosis treatment, residential inpatient programs, group and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches to address the broader needs of each individual.

Are you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction in Mentor, Ohio? Are you looking for treatment options nearby that can help address drug addiction using a wide range of treatments? If so, feel free to contact the experts at Prosperity Haven to learn more about your options.