Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio
Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Resources

Mentor-on-the-Lake is a small city that sits just west of its larger counterpart and namesake, Mentor. With a history that spans nearly one hundred years, Mentor-on-the-Lake developed from a much smaller village along the southern coast of Lake Erie. Originally a part of the larger Mentor township, Mentor-on-the-Lake became a separate village in 1924. It would take roughly 50 years before the population would grow large enough to make Mentor-on-the-Lake a city. In addition to its rich history, Mentor-on-the-Lake also benefits from a beautiful coastline and shares many of the same services and resources as Mentor, Ohio.

Sadly, the people of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio are no strangers to alcohol and drug addiction. In fact, prescription drug and alcohol abuse have been on the rise in the small city, reflecting an epidemic that has taken hold in the larger Cleveland area, most of Ohio, and many parts of the nation as a whole. 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-on-the-Lake, Ohio, then Prosperity Haven is just a short drive or phone call away.

It is important to note that the drug and alcohol abuse in Mentor-on-the-Lake and the rest of Ohio is a complex issue. You may want to help yourself or someone you love overcome addiction, but it is also a good idea to understand exactly how drug and alcohol abuse have affected (and continue to affect) the citizens of Mentor-on-the-Lake. In today’s guide, we will cover some of the latest drug abuse statistics in the city, 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 or alcohol addiction in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Mentor-on-the-Lake

When the first census was taken in Mentor-on-the-Lake in 1930, the village had just 230 citizens. With the growth of business and industry in Mentor, the population grew by more than a thousand per decade throughout the 20th century, peaking at 8,271 in 1990. However, the population has been in a slight decline in the decades since. In 2020, the census recorded 7,390, with every indication that the small city is continuing to shrink.

However, the dwindling population is a relatively small issue when compared to the ever-increasing drug and alcohol crisis in Mentor-on-the-Lake. While the sleepy, waterfront city is known as a safe place to live, it has still had to deal with its fair share of drug and alcohol-related crime and death. About 15% of illicit drug use in Mentor-on-the-Lake is related to marijuana, but when looking at overdose cases, the vast majority are the result of opioid abuse. Fentanyl overdose is especially prevalent in the larger Mentor area, spilling over into nearby cities and counties as well. According to the latest research, fentanyl is approximately 100 times stronger than morphine and highly addictive, making it a powerful killer among virtually all socioeconomic classes in Mentor-on-the-Lake and the rest of Lake County.

Mentor-on-the-Lake Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Ohio

When compared to the rest of Ohio, Mentor-on-the-Lake records relatively small numbers of overdoses and deaths. However, this is mostly because of its small size. When looking at the percentage of overdose deaths relative to the population, Mentor-on-the-Lake has seen a steep rise in cases that exceeds most other cities and counties in the state of Ohio. 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-on-the-Lake only accounts for about 3% of the entire county, with relatively few deaths originating in the city alone.

Mentor-on-the-Lake 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-on-the-Lake 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 keep costs for abusers. 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 Wakaponeta 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-on-the-Lake 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-on-the-Lake is much like many other small cities throughout Ohio and the nation. Even with a strong economy and a large middle-class population, many people in the area suffer from addiction to prescription painkillers and illegal drugs. Though the local government and authorities have worked to combat drug and alcohol abuse in Mentor-on-the-Lake, various factors have made it difficult for many residents to overcome their addictions.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Mentor-on-the-Lake

Due to the very small population, Mentor-on-the-Lake depends on Mentor, Lake County, and even Cleveland for many of its public services and initiatives. Currently, the city of Mentor-on-the-Lake does not offer any of its own substance abuse treatment or prevention programs. However, there are various Lake County-level programs, as well as anti-drug initiatives used throughout the larger Cleveland metropolitan area. Additionally, Mentor-on-the-Lake has access to the Mentor city government’s Operation SCRAM (Security Camera Registration and Mapping).

In essence, 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 and are available to residents of Mentor-on-the-Lake. 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 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, which has the ability to serve Mentor-on-the-Lake residents as well. This establishment fields all 9-1-1 calls for local residents, as well as certain types of non-emergency calls. Having a nearby Safety Forces Communication Center ensures that, in the event of a drug-related incident or overdose, emergency specialists can dispatch paramedics and other necessary personnel within minutes.

Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Addiction Statistics

Thus far, we have covered some of the broader facts concerning the drug and alcohol crisis in Mentor-on-the-Lake. However, it is important to look at the hard stats as well. This is the only way to see an accurate picture of how the city is faring compared to years past (as well as other cities throughout Ohio and the rest of the country). So, here are a few of the latest and most relevant findings in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio as of 2020:

• Annual Overdoses: 17
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 73%
  • Illicit Substances: 14%
  • Prescription Drugs: 13%
• Annual Drug-Related Deaths: 5

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio

As you can see, the beauty of Mentor-on-the-Lake has not kept the residents safe from the growing opioid crisis, street drugs, or alcohol abuse. Consequently, there has been an increased need for drug and alcohol rehabilitation in the city and surrounding areas. Local city and county government efforts can only do so much to curb the growing epidemic.

Fortunately, Mentor-on-the-Lake residents 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 short drive from Mentor-on-the-Lake, 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-on-the-Lake, Ohio? Do you need help from professionals to rid yourself of drug or alcohol abuse? 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.