To first-time visitors, Willoughby feels like a beautiful, scenic, quiet city on the outskirts of Cleveland and at the heart of Lake County. While these observations hold true for most residents, the reality is that Willoughby, Ohio has not escaped the grip of drug abuse and addiction. Though the population of the city has remained relatively small over the past decade, the number of drug-related crimes has continued to increase. As a result, arrests, hospitalizations, and lethal overdoses continue to occur in Willoughby throughout the year.

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 Willoughby, Ohio, then Prosperity Haven is just a phone call away.

In any case, it is important to understand the consequences of drug addiction and abuse in Willoughby, Ohio. So, in today’s guide, we will examine some of the most important statistics related to prescription and illicit drug use in the city. Additionally, we will cover some of the cities efforts to combat drug-related crimes and some of the most pressing issues concerning the individuals and families facing drug addiction in Willoughby, Lake County, and Cleveland at large.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Willoughby

Established in 1798, Willoughby is a city that has largely been defined by its contributions to Lake County and the nation as a whole. Historically, the city’s economy has been driven by healthcare facilities, providing medical services to all of Lake County. To this day, healthcare providers and facilities are some of the top employers in the city. Additionally, the city celebrates its many contributions to American wars overseas, with various memorials dedicated to veterans of World War I and II.

Though Willoughby has a population of just 22,000, it has experienced its own struggles with drug crime and addiction. According to the Willoughby Police Department, “the forefront remains the opiate epidemic which generates numbers in drug arrests, drug overdoses, crimes of violence, and property crimes.” Moreover, the chief of police in Willoughby has noted that “due to the ongoing opiate epidemic, our focus must be primarily on drug abuse. The heroin epidemic [does] not discriminate and is affecting people from all walks of life. The majority of our localized property crime is related to drug abuse. In addition, incidents of vehicles crashing due to overdosing drivers seem to be rising. Often the crash is severe and causes significant property damage. We can only consider it luck that there have not been more severe injuries to innocent drivers.” [1]

Willoughby Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs the Rest of Ohio

Due in part to its small size and proximity to medical facilities, Willoughby has seen relatively low rates of overdoses and deaths compared to the rest of the state. Though drug arrests remain somewhat high, deaths are comparatively low. In 2018, all of Lake County saw just 71 drug-related deaths. Measuring by population, Willoughby accounts for less than 10% of the entire county. Consequently, it contributes a fairly small number of overdose and drug-related deaths compared to its larger neighbors.

Additionally, the death rate from drug overdoses is remarkably low in Willoughby, thanks in large part to its robust healthcare facilities. Paramedics do not have to travel far to get overdose patients the treatment they need, resulting in fewer unnecessary deaths. However, the same cannot be said for all cities and counties in the Cleveland area. For example, the largest county in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, has a drug overdose death rate of 35%. Not only is this far above the state average, but it also means that more than one-in-three patients who are admitted for drug overdose in Cuyahoga do not survive the experience. In short, Willoughby does have to deal with its fair share of drug crime and overdoses, but it is fortunate to avoid some of the same frightening death statistics of other cities and counties in Ohio. 

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Willoughby

As previously mentioned, Willoughby works hard to combat substance abuse through a strong local healthcare system and vigilant police initiatives. The Willoughby Police Department first works with youth in the city to deter drug use and educate young citizens about the dangers of both prescription and illicit drugs. The community continues to utilize the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in schools, using both school and police department resources to help keep drugs out of the hands of kids and teens.

In addition to educating the youth of Willoughby, the police department also works hard to ensure that its own officers are properly trained in drug abuse awareness and intervention. With the help of the Lake County Narcotics Agency, Willoughby police officers frequently identify drug abusers and use the information to trace illicit drugs back to the source. This has helped significantly reduce the number of drug dealers in the area.

Willoughby is a relatively small city both in terms of its geography and population, which means that it is simpler for the local police department to deter drug-related crimes and address drug abuse without the need for excessive force or state investigators. However, like other cities in the region, the city also has resources available through the Cleveland city government and Lake County collective agencies to investigate drug trafficking and cut off drug addiction before it starts.

Willoughby, Ohio Addiction Statistics

Up to this point, we have covered many of the general facts about drug abuse and addiction in Willoughby, Ohio, as well as the government efforts to combat drug-related crime and abuse in the region. However, it is also important to look at the statistics related to drug abuse in the area. The following statistics provide a clearer picture of how prevalent drug addiction can be, even in a small, peaceful community like Willoughby. Here are a few stats collected via studies from 2018, 2019, and 2020:

• Annual Overdoses: 54
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 92%
  • Illicit Substances: 8%
• Annual Drug-Related Deaths: 5
• 2019 Illicit Drug Arrests: 400
• 2020 Illicit Drug Arrests: 241

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Willoughby, Ohio

As the information above shows, there is a constant battle against drug abuse and addiction in Willoughby, Ohio. However, a combination of factors has reduced the risk of death and has even helped lead to fewer drug-related crimes over time. Nonetheless, there are still hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Willoughby residents in need of drug or alcohol rehab. Both the strength and accessibility of drugs continue to grow every year, forcing healthcare workers, families, and police departments to work even harder to stop addiction as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, Willoughby residents have access to high-quality drug and alcohol rehabilitation in their area. If you or someone you love is facing addiction and needs help, Prosperity Haven is just a short drive from Willoughby. This way, you don’t have to worry about making a long journey just to find help and peace of mind with trained professionals.

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 Willoughby, 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.