As a small town (sometimes categorized as a borough) in Pennsylvania, Monaca often doesn’t get as much attention as its larger, more recognizable neighbors. This is especially true when it comes to issues like drug and alcohol addiction. Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh often receive the most resources and localized programs to fight the abuse of drugs and alcohol, while small towns like Monaca depend on statewide programs. Nonetheless, residents of Monaca are just as susceptible to substance abuse as anyone else in the state or the country.

The town of Monaca is located on the western border of Pennsylvania, just miles away from Ohio. It is a part of Beaver County and, as of the 2020 census, had a population of 5,615 full-time residents. In total, Monaca covers an area of approximately 25 square miles along the edge of the Ohio River.

The first records of the land now known as Monaca date back to 1787. At the time, the land was granted to Ephraim Blaine, a colonel who served during the American Revolutionary War. The land was originally named Appetite. This land changed hands several times throughout the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. However, it finally took the form of a small town in 1822 when two businessmen invested in boat yards in the area. During this change, the land was renamed Phillipsburg after one of the initial investors.

Throughout the remainder of the 19th Century, various groups populated the area, particularly German immigrants looking to establish religious communities in the area. The small settlement grew slowly during this time, with new buildings added in the latter half of the century (including a post office). In 1892, the town was officially renamed Monaca in honor of the Native American chief, Monacatootha.

After the Industrialization Era, Monaca became associated with the manufacture of porcelain, glass, tile, and steel. Today, Monaca remains a town that relies on industrial jobs to maintain its somewhat fragile economy. This fragility was only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread unemployment throughout Pennsylvania. Economic hardship only increased the abuse of drugs and alcohol in small towns like Monaca.

Fortunately, Monaca residents do have access to resources to help overcome drug or alcohol addiction. If you live in or near Monaco and are in need of inpatient and outpatient services, counseling, detox, and dual diagnosis treatment near you, then Prosperity Haven is just a short drive or phone call away. Prosperity Haven has already helped thousands of individuals and families in the area overcome alcohol addiction and drug abuse.

However, before you reach out for help for yourself or someone you love, it is important to understand exactly how drug and alcohol addiction are shaping Monaca and the state of Pennsylvania. So, in today’s guide, we will cover some of the latest drug abuse statistics in Monaca, Pennsylvania as well as local and state programs utilized to fight the opioid crisis. Additionally, we will discuss some of the most pressing issues faced by people dealing with drug or alcohol addiction in Monaca.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Monaca

Data for Monaca’s drug addiction crisis is limited, though there is ample evidence of illicit drug trade in the town. Most recently, a man was arrested for distributing roughly 5 kilos of cocaine to drug dealers in the area. [1] As of the latest data, Beaver County recorded 23 overdose deaths from opioids alone, with the majority involving Fentanyl. [2] However, Monaca only accounts for less than 1% of the population of Beaver County, indicating that there are only a handful of overdose cases in the small town each year.

Monaca Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Pennsylvania

Approximately 17% of adults in the state report binge drinking alcohol more than once every month. [3] In 2021, 5,168 people died of drug overdoses in the state of Pennsylvania. [4] While Pennsylvania has not recorded as many drug-related deaths as nearby states like Ohio, it is among the most-affected states for both drug and alcohol-related deaths.

Due to the small population, Monaca has very few overdoses when compared to the rest of Pennsylvania. Even the entirety of Beaver County has a low number of overdoses per 100,000 residents compared to other counties in the state. As previously mentioned, most of Beaver County’s deaths are related to opioids (much like the rest of Pennsylvania), even when illicit drugs like cocaine are involved.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Monaca

Most small towns in Pennsylvania depend on statewide programs like the Centers of Excellence for Opioid Use Disorder (COE). However, due to a sharp increase in drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2017, the Beaver County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (BCBH) received funding to form a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP). This program serves all towns, cities, and districts within Beaver County with life-saving emergency services and long-term treatment options. Additionally, Monaca and Beaver County work with local rehab centers like Prosperity Haven to help more people overcome addiction.

Monaca, Pennsylvania Addiction Statistics

Even though Monaca is a very small town, it still has to deal with the abuse of illicit drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and other toxic substances. However, due to the small sample size, it can be difficult to understand exactly how drugs and alcohol have impacted the small town in Beaver County. Therefore, it can be helpful to look at the data and understand exactly how these substances affect local residents. So, here are a few of the latest and most relevant findings in Monaca, Pennsylvania:

• Annual Overdoses: 21
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 54%
  • Illicit Substances: 27%
  • Prescription Drugs: 19%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 4

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Monaca, Pennsylvania

Despite being rich in history, Monaca, PA has not escaped the effects of the national opioid crisis or the growing abuse of alcohol in the state of Pennsylvania. Every day, individuals and families in small towns like Monaca are devastated by substance abuse and drug-related deaths. Without help from experts in substance abuse, the statistics above will only get worse with time.

Thankfully, the situation is not hopeless. Not only do residents of Monaca have access to county and state programs to help save lives and prevent overdoses, but they can also access high-quality drug and alcohol rehabilitation through Prosperity Haven. It is important to remember that, whether it is you or someone you love, no one should have to battle addiction alone. If you choose to work with the experts at Prosperity Haven, you can gain access to both inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as many individual and group-based treatments.

At Prosperity Haven, we work hard to provide you and your loved ones with a comfortable experience that helps you kick your habit for good. Our services include counseling, detox programs, dual diagnosis treatment, residential inpatient programs, group and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches to address the broader needs of each individual. This way, you don’t have to visit multiple clinics or doctors just to get all of the care you need. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Prosperity Haven to take the first step toward recovery.

Are you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction in Monaca, Pennsylvania? Are you looking for facilities nearby that can help address drug or alcohol addiction using a wide range of treatments? If so, feel free to contact the experts at Prosperity Haven today.