Greencastle, Indiana is a small city within the Greencastle Township that lies a few miles north of Interstate 70, and about an hour’s drive west of downtown Indianapolis. Despite its relatively small size, Greencastle serves as the county seat of Putnam County and is known for its many historical neighborhoods. It also makes up nearly a third of the county population. As of the latest census, the city of Greencastle boasts a population of 9,820, compared to 12,554 in Greencastle Township and 37,567 in Putnam County.
The city’s easy access to Indianapolis has made it a popular home for Indiana residents seeking a more suburban environment that isn’t too far from big city amenities. The lower cost of living has also helped keep the local economy relatively strong, despite setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The median household income in Greencastle is $51,836, which falls well below the state median of $67,173. However, Greencastle’s poverty rate is lower than the state average — 9.4% in Greencastle compared to 12.6% in all of Indiana. [1]
So, while many small and mid-sized cities have struggled to shake off economic stagnation following the pandemic, Greencastle has been surprisingly resilient. However, not everyone in the city of Greencastle has had it easy in recent years. More specifically, instances of drug and alcohol abuse are on the rise in the city. Even though Greencastle and the rest of Putnam County are relatively small compared to cities like Indianapolis, they still record dozens of overdoses and deaths every year — and these figures are trending upward. Based on the most recent data, alcohol and meth are among the most commonly abused drugs in Greencastle, though marijuana, prescription opioids, cocaine, and heroin are not far behind.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Greencastle, Indiana. And remember, if you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Greencastle or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Greencastle
Greencastle is functionally identical to most other small cities throughout Indiana when it comes to the recording of drug and alcohol abuse statistics. The city relies on the county and state to maintain up-to-date records from one year to the next. While this ensures greater coordination between state and local departments, it also means that Greencastle’s substance abuse data is combined with the data collected from other municipalities within Putnam County, such as Cloverdale and Fillmore. Nonetheless, Greencastle is the only designated city in the county and it has the largest population in the area by far. As a result, evaluating the data for all of Putnam County provides a very accurate picture of the state of drug and alcohol addiction in the city of Greencastle.
Taking its small population into consideration, Putnam County sees a relatively high rate of deaths caused by substance abuse. This is particularly concerning since overdose deaths are one of the most important metrics used to measure the severity of substance abuse in a given area. While Putnam County saw a very substantial spike in overdose deaths during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (which aligns with most other towns and cities in Indiana), the average number of cases is increasing each year, despite virtually no population growth. [2] The table below shows how deaths involving all drugs (including alcohol) have changed in the area over the past few years:
Year | Total Deaths | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 4 | N/A |
2017 | 2 | Decreased by 50.0% |
2018 | 6 | Increased by 200.0% |
2019 | 2 | Decreased by 66.7% |
2020 | 9 | Increased by 350.0% |
2021 | 11 | Increased by 22.2% |
2022 | 5 | Decreased by 54.5% |
*2023 | 6 | Increased by 20.0% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
The small sample size makes it difficult to measure exactly how much substance abuse trends have changed since 2016 based on overdose deaths alone. However, it is clear that Putnam County saw its worst year for overdose deaths in 2021, which aligns closely with many other counties in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in substance abuse and overdoses, which resulted in more deaths. While the death count has technically declined since 2021, it still increased by 33.3% between 2016 and 2023. That said, it’s important to remember that the statistics for 2023 are provisional and could be revised in the near future.
Considering that the number of deaths in Greencastle and Putnam County is relatively small, it’s necessary to look at other statistics that can shed light on the addiction crisis. While deaths are the most severe consequence of addiction, many more people experience non-fatal overdoses. These are recorded using hospital discharges and emergency department visits involving substance abuse. The table below shows the relevant overdose data in Putnam County between 2016 and 2023: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 88 | N/A |
2017 | 88 | Increased by 0.0% |
2018 | 88 | Increased by 0.0% |
2019 | 91 | Increased by 3.4% |
2020 | 75 | Decreased by 17.6% |
2021 | 76 | Increased by 1.3% |
2022 | 80 | Increased by 5.3% |
*2023 | 48 | Decreased by 40.0% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
Putnam County saw no change in its overdose cases between 2016 and 2018. In 2019, alcohol and drug overdoses peaked at 91, before declining to 75 in 2020. Contrary to what other counties in the area have recorded, overdoses declined during the height of the pandemic. They continued to decline in 2023, but once again, the data for 2023 is still provisional. While recording fewer overdoses is always a good sign, it’s important to note that the number of overdose deaths increased over the same period, which means that the county is seeing an increasingly high rate of lethal overdoses. In 2016, the percentage of lethal overdoses accounted for 4.5% of all overdoses, compared to 12.5% in 2023.
Types of Substance Abuse in Greencastle
In 2022 and 2023, alcohol and meth were the most abused drugs in Putnam County. These conclusions were made using arrest and re-arrest records for the county, as well as information provided by clinics and emergency departments. While the most recent trends are useful on their own, it’s also important to consider data from other years. This gives us the ability to evaluate trends in substance abuse with the passing of time.
Here is the latest data from Indiana’s Next Level Recovery program showing the arrests involving different kinds of addictive substances between 2016 and 2023 in Putnam County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 325 | 177 | 4 | 84 | 102 | 23 | 164 |
2017 | 390 | 154 | 8 | 107 | 157 | 12 | 208 |
2018 | 338 | 171 | 10 | 141 | 153 | 10 | 158 |
2019 | 276 | 159 | 6 | 82 | 131 | 8 | 110 |
2020 | 318 | 120 | 10 | 113 | 207 | 22 | 176 |
2021 | 293 | 106 | 9 | 85 | 168 | 7 | 112 |
2022 | 239 | 97 | 12 | 66 | 142 | 12 | 95 |
2023* | 239 | 84 | 5 | 54 | 115 | 11 | 79 |
*Statistics for 2023 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year.
Arrests involving drugs and alcohol have declined in Putnam County since 2016. Between 2016 and 2023, the total number of arrests decreased by 26.4%. Over the same period, the county recorded a substantial decrease in alcohol, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia arrests, while it saw little change in cocaine, meth, and opioid arrests.
Greencastle Substance Abuse Resources
Like many other small cities in Indiana, Greencastle doesn’t have any official resources, programs, or initiatives to combat substance abuse. The city relies on county and state intervention instead. Unfortunately, county resources are also somewhat limited. Mental Health America of Putnam County provides help to residents seeking crisis hotlines and similar mental health resources, some of which are specifically for those struggling with addiction.
The state of Indiana also offers various programs that counties can opt into, such as syringe exchanges and Overdose Fatality Review Teams. Of the 7 primary initiatives available in Indiana, Putnam County only utilizes one. This program helps distribute Naloxone to prevent fatalities during opioid overdoses. It also offers training to first responders to use Naloxone more effectively.
Greencastle Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Greencastle is a small but beautiful community in western Indiana, with an economy that has remained steadfast in recent years. Sadly, the strong economy has not prevented the substance abuse crisis from continuing in the city of Greencastle, as well as the rest of Putnam County. With very few local resources to prevent or treat addiction, many residents of Greencastle feel alone in their battle with substance use disorders.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in Greencastle and are looking for addiction treatment options, Addiction Rehab Centers is just a phone call or a one-hour drive away. Located in Indianapolis, Addiction Rehab Centers is fully equipped to provide effective treatment for someone struggling with addiction. Our comfortable, modern facility manages every step of the recovery process, from the early detox to the aftercare and support. We also specialize in treating co-occurring disorders simultaneously, ensuring that you can rebuild your mental and physical health in one place. By reaching out to our team, you can begin your journey to a brighter tomorrow — free from the grip of addiction.
If you or a loved one need help, don’t hesitate to reach out as soon as possible. Addiction Rehab Centers is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can contact us on our website or call us directly at 844-551-4673.
