Seymour is one of the most talked-about cities in southern Indiana. Located about halfway between Louisville and Indianapolis, just west of the intersection of Interstate 65 and Highway 50, Seymour is home to many historical monuments related to its participation in the Civil War and World War II. This mid-sized city is also well-known among locals for its many ghost stories and interesting folklore, particularly the mysteries surrounding the Reno Gang, a band of train robbers who committed various crimes in the area in the late 19th century.
Today, Seymour enjoys a healthy flow of travelers, particularly ghost enthusiasts and treasure hunters, both of whom help bolster the local economy. Thanks to its centralized location, Seymour is home to various industrial and manufacturing facilities, including the Aisin Corporation, which currently employs more than 2,000 local residents. Despite the strong economic basis, many people in Seymour and the rest of Jackson County have struggled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.
Of the 21,569 people who live in Seymour, about 3,600 (or 16.7%) live below the poverty. This is 3.6 percentage points higher than the average poverty level in the state of Indiana. Residents also see lower wages than others throughout the state (on average). The median household income in Seymour is $57,347, compared to $66,785 statewide. Economic difficulties in the city have only exacerbated the ongoing addiction crisis in the area. [1]
While substance abuse in Seymour and the rest of Jackson County has not followed many of the same trends observed in other areas throughout Indiana, it has remained alarmingly prevalent over the last decade. Alcoholism is a major problem in Seymour, and there are also many instances of addiction involving more than one substance. Based on the most recent data, alcohol and meth are among the most commonly abused drugs in Seymour, though marijuana, heroin, prescription opioids, and cocaine are not far behind.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Seymour, Indiana. And remember, if you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Seymour or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Seymour
Seymour is much smaller than nearby cities like Indianapolis and even Bloomington. As a result, it does not record its own addiction-related data at the city level; it relies on data collected and aggregated by the county and state. The city of Seymour makes up nearly half of the population of Jackson County and accounts for over 60% of the county’s substance abuse cases. Thus, evaluating county-level data provides a very accurate picture of the ongoing addiction crisis in Seymour and the surrounding area.
When examining the extent of a substance abuse crisis, analysts often look first at the number of lives that have ended as a direct result of drug or alcohol abuse. Deaths are the most severe and tragic result of addiction, and they are also an effective barometer for the evaluation of addiction in a given city or county.
In Seymour and Jackson County, deaths attributable to drugs and alcohol have remained consistently high. While many surrounding counties experienced a steady increase in deaths over the past few years, followed by a sudden spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, the data from Jackson County shows greater constancy. [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 | 11 | N/A |
2017 | 18 | Increased by 63.6% |
2018 | 20 | Increased by 11.1% |
2019 | 9 | Decreased by 55.0% |
2020 | 20 | Increased by 122.2% |
2021 | 19 | Decreased by 5.0% |
2022 | 19 | Increased by 0.0% |
*2023 | 8 | Decreased by 57.9% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first half of the year.
While deaths saw a sharp increase between 2016 and 2017 and a temporary decline in 2019, nearly every other year had deaths ranging from 18 to 20. Based on this metric alone, it would appear that Jackson County has had significant issues with drug and alcohol overdose deaths for years. And though 2023 did show a very steep decline from the 19 deaths recorded in 2022, it’s important to note that the data for 2023 is still provisional and will need to be updated in the near future.
Overdose deaths are only one metric used to measure the severity of a substance abuse epidemic. However, one metric that is arguably even more useful is non-fatal overdoses. Far more people survive overdoses, so it’s extremely useful to examine data provided by hospitals and emergency response departments. The table below shows the relevant overdose data in Jackson County between 2016 and 2023: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 153 | N/A |
2017 | 172 | Increased by 12.4% |
2018 | 168 | Decreased by 2.3% |
2019 | 132 | Decreased by 21.4% |
2020 | 161 | Increased by 22.0% |
2021 | 146 | Decreased by 9.3% |
2022 | 107 | Decreased by 26.7% |
*2023 | 62 | Decreased by 42.1% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first half of the year.
Unlike many other counties in Indiana, Jackson County recorded a steady decline in non-fatal overdoses between 2016 and 2023. Setting aside the fact that 2023’s data is not yet finalized, annual non-fatal overdoses decreased by nearly 60%. However, this trend is deceptive, particularly when comparing it to the high number of overdose deaths. While it’s generally a good sign that overdoses are declining from year to year, when overdose deaths remain high, it means that each year is seeing a higher percentage of overdoses resulting in death.
For example, Jackson County recorded 153 non-fatal overdoses and 11 fatal overdoses. Of the 164 total overdoses (fatal + non-fatal), 6.7% resulted in death. By 2022, 15% of all overdoses recorded in Jackson County resulted in death. So, while it is a good sign that fewer people are experiencing overdoses in the area, Seymour and Jackson County are losing the battle to prevent overdose deaths in general.
Types of Substance Abuse in Seymour
In 2022, alcohol and meth were the most abused drugs in Jackson County. While many assume that the types of drugs being abused in a given region remain consistent from year to year, trends in drug abuse can change quite rapidly. Here is the latest data from Indiana’s Next Level Recovery program showing the arrests involving different kinds of addictive substances between 2016 and 2024 in Jackson County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 622 | 309 | 7 | 186 | 246 | 57 | 350 |
2017 | 597 | 257 | 4 | 241 | 285 | 54 | 444 |
2018 | 617 | 331 | 9 | 224 | 308 | 65 | 387 |
2019 | 554 | 401 | 12 | 186 | 335 | 56 | 325 |
2020 | 672 | 395 | 2 | 151 | 383 | 84 | 458 |
2021 | 693 | 327 | 6 | 194 | 408 | 96 | 463 |
2022 | 664 | 350 | 12 | 202 | 338 | 47 | 300 |
2023* | 590 | 277 | 10 | 135 | 181 | 60 | 258 |
2024* | 353 | 80 | 6 | 69 | 82 | 19 | 127 |
*Statistics for 2023 and 2024 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year(s).
2022 was the most recent year with finalized arrest records in Jackson County. Between 2016 and 2022, total arrests increased slightly, with alcohol, meth, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana accounting for the most arrests (in that order). Cocaine and prescription opioids accounted for a comparatively small percentage of the total drug arrests in Jackson County. It’s important to note that, while drug paraphernalia arrests can be associated with many types of substance abuse, they are most often related to heroin and meth.
Seymour Substance Abuse Resources
The city of Seymour offers online resources to direct people toward recovery programs available in the area. Some of these are well-known support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Aside from providing contact information for groups and clinics, Seymour doesn’t have any of its own programs or initiatives to combat substance abuse. Like most cities in Indiana, Seymour relies on county and state-level programs for assistance.
Fortunately, Jackson County is one of the most proactive counties in the state when it comes to fighting addiction. Of the 7 state-sponsored programs available, Jackson County participates in 4, including:
- First Responder Naloxone Training
- Naloxone Distribution & Education Initiatives
- Non-Syringe Harm Reduction Program
- Opioid Response Program
As you can see, nearly all of the programs in Jackson County specifically target opioid abuse. This is part of the reason why Seymour and Jackson County see fewer opioid arrests, overdoses, and deaths than other counties in the state. The county participates in programs that help distribute Naloxone (which is used to prevent death in the event of an opioid overdose) to clinics in the area. Some of these programs also involve training first responders and even the general public on the proper use of Naloxone in emergency situations. Jackson County also participates in the Opioid Response Program, which uses available data to develop new ways of combating opioid abuse. Lastly, the county participates in the Non-Syringe Harm Reduction Program. This program provides drug abusers with single-use supplies that help reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases (like HIV) via needle sharing.
Seymour Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Known as “The Crossroads of Southern Indiana,” Seymour is an important manufacturing hub in the region. It also happens to be a great place to live and raise a family. Sadly, economic woes have made it difficult for many people who have previously abused drugs or alcohol to avoid temptation and ignore cravings. As a result, drug and alcohol abuse is still a very real problem for the people of Seymour, as well as the rest of Jackson County. And while the county offers many programs to help combat substance abuse, the percentage of fatal overdoses continues to rise, leaving many Seymour residents feeling hopeless and alone in their battle for sobriety.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in Seymour 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 offers state-of-the-art facilities and a highly-trained team of medical professionals and substance abuse experts. We have the services and training to ensure that you can detox in comfort and remain in a safe and relaxing environment throughout your rehabilitation journey. We even specialize in addiction aftercare and the treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders, ensuring that you receive all the tools you need to recover. 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.
