The city of Wabash is located along the Wabash River, about an hour southwest of Fort Wayne along Highway 24. As the county seat of Wabash County, Wabash is the only incorporated city in the county and the largest municipality, with a population of roughly 10,440. It accounts for about one-third of the county’s total population.
A historically significant city in northern Indiana, Wabash is best known as one of the first cities in the world to illuminate its streets (or at the very least its courthouse) using electricity. In later years, the city would become a hub for manufacturing. Though it did eventually relocate its headquarters, the multinational Honeywell Corporation was founded in Wabash and still maintains a presence in the city.
While the median household income is much lower in Wabash than it is in Fort Wayne or Indianapolis at $51,127 per year, the city enjoys a much lower cost of living. In fact, housing costs are nearly 40% lower than the state average. Moreover, the poverty rate in Wabash is 11.8%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 12.6%. However, the tranquility and relative economic comfort of Wabash could change in the near future, as the population has continued to decline over the past three decades. [1]
There’s another issue that threatens to put even more strain on the otherwise peaceful city of Wabash: substance abuse. In spite of various local resources designed to educate residents on the dangers of addiction and help reduce substance abuse in general, both fatal and non-fatal overdoses have been on the rise in the city of Wabash and the rest of Wabash County.
Based on the most recent data, marijuana and meth are the most commonly abused substances in Wabash. The city also sees the abuse of other substances, such as alcohol, prescription opioids, cocaine, and heroin.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Wabash, Indiana. And remember, if you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Wabash or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Wabash
Wabash County manages substance abuse data for all cities, townships, and municipalities within its borders. While this helps state authorities better organize substance abuse data and develop legislation that may be able to reduce overdose numbers in the future, it also makes it more difficult to calculate the precise number of cases in each city. For example, the number of overdoses in Wabash is combined with the number of overdoses in nearby towns like North Manchester and LaFontaine. However, since Wabash is the largest city by population in Wabash County by far, the county-level statistics can shine a light on the current prevalence of addiction at the city level. By some estimates, the city of Wabash could account for a little over half of the total overdoses recorded in Wabash County.
Thankfully, fatal overdoses are relatively uncommon in Wabash County, especially when compared to nearby counties with similar populations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn have contributed to a rise in substance abuse cases and, as a result, a rise in overdose fatalities. [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 | 7 | N/A |
2017 | 13 | Increased by 85.7% |
2018 | 5 | Decreased by 61.5% |
2019 | 7 | Increased by 40.0% |
2020 | 9 | Increased by 28.6% |
2021 | 10 | Increased by 11.1% |
2022 | 11 | Increased by 10.0% |
*2023 | 5 | Decreased by 54.5% |
*2024 | 5 | Decreased by 0.0% |
*Data for 2023 and 2024 is provisional and only accounts may be subject to change.
2017 was the worst year for fatal overdoses in Wabash County, with deaths nearly doubling from the previous year. However, fatal overdoses fell to their lowest point in 2018, before steadily rising in the following years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths remained consistently high compared to previous years, which aligns with trends we’ve seen in most other counties throughout Indiana. Consequently, there was an increase in annual overdose deaths of 57.1% between 2016 and 2022.
The data for 2023 and 2024 is still provisional and may be updated in the near future. As a result, we can’t draw any firm conclusions about how fatal overdoses have changed since 2022. That said, if the preliminary figures are any indication, deaths may be in decline in Wabash County now that the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
Non-fatal overdoses are much more common than fatal overdoses in Wabash County and the rest of Indiana. This makes non-fatal overdoses a better statistic with which to evaluate the current addiction crisis in the area. By examining hospital discharges and emergency room visits involving addictive substances (but not resulting in fatalities), we can ascertain how many people are overdosing and surviving in Wabash County. The table below shows the relevant overdose data in Wabash County between 2016 and 2024: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 76 | N/A |
2017 | 97 | Increased by 27.6% |
2018 | 79 | Decreased by 18.6% |
2019 | 66 | Decreased by 16.5% |
2020 | 78 | Increased by 18.2% |
2021 | 68 | Decreased by 12.8% |
2022 | 77 | Increased by 13.2% |
*2023 | 69 | Decreased by 10.4% |
*2024 | 30 | Decreased by 56.5% |
*Data for 2023 and 2024 is provisional and only accounts may be subject to change.
Like fatal overdoses, non-fatal overdoses saw a spike in Wabash County in 2017. However, the figures remained relatively consistent in the period that followed, including the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2016 and 2022, non-fatal overdoses increased by just 1.3%. While the data for 2023 and 2024 is still provisional, it may indicate that non-fatal overdoses have continued to decline further.
On the surface, declining overdose data may seem like a sign that fewer people are abusing drugs and alcohol. Though this may be true, it doesn’t account for changes in fatality rates. In 2016, Wabash County recorded a total of 83 overdoses (fatal and non-fatal). 7 of those overdoses were fatal, accounting for 8.4%. By 2022, the total number of overdoses on record increased to 88. Of those overdoses, 11 were fatal, accounting for 12.5%. While the finalized data for 2023 and 2024 could change, the available data highlights two important trends: total overdoses and fatal overdose rates among drug and alcohol abusers are on the rise in Wabash County.
Types of Substance Abuse in Wabash
In 2023 and 2024, marijuana and meth were the most abused drugs in Wabash County. Like many other counties in Indiana, alcohol is also commonly abused, though cases have been in decline. Keep in mind that this data is based on arrest and re-arrest figures in the region. While this does show trends in the types of drugs and substances being abused, it doesn’t account for people in the area who are addicted and evade arrest. In any case, 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 Wabash County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 319 | 176 | 1 | 57 | 56 | 15 | 105 |
2017 | 347 | 159 | 3 | 105 | 75 | 29 | 166 |
2018 | 462 | 172 | 1 | 188 | 118 | 29 | 216 |
2019 | 574 | 134 | 6 | 229 | 181 | 24 | 273 |
2020 | 414 | 118 | 7 | 127 | 163 | 32 | 178 |
2021 | 408 | 86 | 7 | 178 | 153 | 27 | 176 |
2022 | 361 | 73 | 5 | 125 | 125 | 30 | 171 |
2023* | 382 | 94 | 8 | 147 | 129 | 38 | 129 |
2024* | 275 | 63 | 4 | 108 | 81 | 16 | 68 |
*Statistics for 2023 and 2024 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year(s).
Total arrests involving addictive substances have risen in Wabash County since 2016. Between 2016 and 2022, annual arrests increased by 19.7%, and provisional data from 2023 and 2024 may indicate that arrests will continue to rise. However, during this same period arrests involving alcohol have declined dramatically, while arrests involving marijuana, meth, prescription opioids, and drug paraphernalia (often linked to heroin or meth) have risen. Cocaine arrests have also risen, though they are relatively uncommon compared to arrests involving other substances.
Wabash Substance Abuse Resources
The city of Wabash dedicates part of its official website to substance abuse resources, including several recovery groups, halfway houses, and addiction treatment initiatives in the area. Like most small cities in Indiana, however, Wabash depends on the county for more action-oriented programs. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many county-level resources available. The Wabash County Drug Steering Committee convenes regularly to discuss possible measures to curb overdoses and deaths in the area. Otherwise, there are no local programs in Wabash County. Of the 7 state-approved programs to combat substance abuse, Wabash County does not currently participate in any.
Wabash Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Wabash is a beautiful river-side city that boasts historical buildings and a stable economy, but it has not been able to free itself from the grip of addiction. Most years, overdoses and deaths rise in the city and the rest of Wabash County. With very few local resources to guide those in need toward treatment programs, many Wabash residents feel lost and without hope in their battle against addiction.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in Wabash, Indiana, and are looking for addiction treatment options, Addiction Rehab Centers is just a phone call or a two-hour drive away. Located in Indianapolis, Addiction Rehab Centers has everything you need to recover in peace in comfort. We offer modern, state-of-the-art facilities to help those beginning their recovery get through the initial days of detox and continue with inpatient rehab, therapy, and eventually outpatient rehab and aftercare support. In short, we’ll provide you with all the resources you need, every step of the way. We even specialize in dual-diagnosis treatments for co-occurring mental health disorders. 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.
