Located in the center of one of Indiana’s southernmost counties, Harrison County, the city of Corydon is just a short drive from the picturesque Ohio River. It’s also not far from Louisville, Kentucky, giving residents easy access to the conveniences of a much larger city. However, the small city of Corydon is best known as the original capital of the Indiana territory (before it was changed to Indianapolis) and the only place in Indiana to see battle during the American Civil War. Today, much of the city’s downtown and historical buildings draw thousands of tourists every year.
In addition to a thriving local economy based in tourism, Corydon also has strong health care, agricultural shipping, and retail sectors. Corydon and the rest of Harrison County boast one of the highest median incomes in the state. Harrison County’s median household income is $72,468, higher than the state median of $70,051. The county also has a low poverty rate of 8.6%, compared to 12.3% statewide. [1]
In spite of its strong economy and fascinating history, Corydon has lived under the dark cloud of substance abuse for years. This problem has been worsened by an influx of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, as well as an increase in multi-drug abuse, particularly involving crystal meth. A lack of local programs to combat substance abuse has also led to increasing overdoses and fatalities as a direct result of addiction.
Based on the most recent data, alcohol, marijuana, and meth are the most commonly abused substances in Corydon, Indiana. The city also sees the abuse of other addictive substances, such as prescription opioids, cocaine, and heroin.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Corydon, Indiana. And remember, if you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Corydon or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Corydon
With a population of 3,168, the city of Corydon doesn’t have the resources to collect and manage substance abuse data on its own. Fortunately, Corydon’s city government doesn’t have the obligation to do so. In Indiana, this responsibility is put on the county, which collects substance abuse data and reports it to the state. However, this also means that all of the data from every municipality in Harrison County is combined for better evaluation at the state level.
Since Corydon only accounts for roughly 7.9% of the county’s population, it’s difficult to gauge the severity of the ongoing substance abuse crisis based on Harrison County’s data. With data originating in Corydon, as well as nearby towns like Lanesville and New Middletown, it’s not easy to identify cases that are specific to Corydon alone. However, Corydon is the county seat of Harrison County and the largest municipality in the county by far. As a result, a higher percentage of substance abuse cases — including arrests, overdoses, and fatalities — originate in Corydon. By some estimates, Corydon accounts for nearly 20% of all substance abuse cases in Harrison County.
We typically begin our research into any city or county with the number of fatalities caused by substance abuse. Sadly, this is the gravest result of addiction, but it’s vitally important to consider how many overdose deaths occur each year. It’s even more important to see how this statistic changes over time. In Harrison County, overdose deaths have generally increased, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The table below shows how deaths involving all drugs (including alcohol) have changed in the county over the past few years. [2]
Year | Total Deaths | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 15 | N/A |
2017 | 7 | Decreased by 53.3% |
2018 | 9 | Increased by 28.6% |
2019 | 14 | Increased by 55.6% |
2020 | 16 | Increased by 14.3% |
2021 | 17 | Increased by 6.3% |
2022 | 20 | Increased by 17.6% |
*2023 | 12 | N/A |
*2024 | <5 | N/A |
*Data for 2023 and 2024 is provisional and may be subject to change. The last date that data was collected was 09/04/2024.
As you can see from the table above, fatal overdoses were already high when the county began collecting data in 2016. However, it’s important to note that the number of fatal overdoses across all years available is somewhat low compared to other counties with similar population sizes. The county saw a brief reprieve in 2017 and 2018, however, deaths increased again between 2019 and 2022. The data for 2023 and 2024 is still provisional, so we can’t draw any firm conclusions yet, though it does appear that fatal overdoses are declining from the height recorded in 2022.
One of the most useful statistics to consider when evaluating substance abuse data is non-fatal overdoses. Not only are non-fatal overdoses more common than fatal overdoses, but they can also be easier to collect with accuracy. In the vast majority of cases, non-fatal overdoses are recorded from hospital discharges and emergency department visits involving addictive substances. The table below shows the relevant overdose data in Harrison County between 2016 and 2024: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 127 | N/A |
2017 | 88 | Decreased by 30.7% |
2018 | 85 | Decreased by 3.4% |
2019 | 98 | Increased by 15.3% |
2020 | 104 | Increased by 6.1% |
2021 | 124 | Increased by 19.2% |
2022 | 109 | Decreased by 12.1% |
*2023 | 86 | N/A |
*2024 | 17 | N/A |
*Data for 2023 and 2024 is provisional and may be subject to change. The last date that data was collected was 09/04/2024.
Fatal and non-fatal overdoses followed a very similar trajectory in Harrison County. Based on our research into other counties in Indiana, this is not always the case. However, the dataset began with 127 non-fatal overdoses in 2016, before declining to 88 and 85 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Like fatal overdoses, non-fatal overdoses spiked during the pandemic, though non-fatal overdoses peaked in 2021 (while fatal overdoses peaked in 2022). The provisional data for 2023 and 2024 also shows a decline in non-fatal overdoses, but it’s still too early to know if these numbers are a close representation of the finalized data.
We must also compare the relationship between fatal overdoses, non-fatal overdoses, and total overdoses (fatal plus non-fatal). In 2016, Harrison County recorded 142 total overdoses. 15 of these overdoses were fatal, which reflects 10.5% of the total overdoses recorded. By 2022 (the most recent year with finalized data), Harrison County recorded 129 total overdoses. 20 of these overdoses were fatal, accounting for 15.5% of total overdoses. This means that the fatality rate is increasing in Corydon and the rest of Harrison County, even as the total number of overdoses is in decline.
Types of Substance Abuse in Corydon
In 2023 and 2024, alcohol, marijuana, and meth were the most abused substances in Harrison County. Alcohol is heavily abused throughout most counties in Indiana, and meth and marijuana have both increased in prevalence across the state over the past decade. These trends are based on arrest and re-arrest data, which is not a perfect science, but it does account for a significant percentage of abuse cases. What it doesn’t account for are substance abuse cases that don’t involve arrests or the involvement of law enforcement.
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 Harrison County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 374 | 133 | 6 | 99 | 117 | 37 | 159 |
2017 | 462 | 153 | 7 | 121 | 179 | 44 | 210 |
2018 | 403 | 133 | 8 | 133 | 186 | 35 | 191 |
2019 | 429 | 149 | 6 | 109 | 213 | 60 | 222 |
2020 | 263 | 88 | 5 | 40 | 131 | 26 | 151 |
2021 | 370 | 89 | 2 | 106 | 206 | 32 | 192 |
2022 | 333 | 94 | 2 | 95 | 198 | 39 | 159 |
2023* | 333 | 91 | 6 | 67 | 149 | 39 | 117 |
2024* | 294 | 124 | 4 | 49 | 156 | 36 | 94 |
*Statistics for 2023 and 2024 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year(s).
Arrests generally remained high between 2016 and 2022. Even the provisional data for 2023 and 2024 shows high total arrest figures for Harrison County. However, between 2016 and 2022, alcohol and marijuana arrests declined, while meth arrests increased. All three substances were still the most abused every year on record. Opioid and drug paraphernalia arrests also remained consistently high. It’s important to note that the latter is typically associated with meth or heroin abuse.
Corydon Substance Abuse Resources
Corydon is a very small city, and even with its strong economy, it doesn’t have the resources to fight substance abuse on its own. Fortunately, it’s common practice in the state of Indiana for towns and cities to rely on the county and state for substance abuse programs and initiatives. The same is true for Corydon, as it relies heavily on Harrison County for support.
As part of Harrison County’s Comprehensive Community Plan, the county challenged itself to “lower substance abuse disruption in Harrison County.” The county’s mission statement regarding substance abuse is as follows: “Our mission is to provide an organization through which the community can plan and implement efforts to address the problems of youth and adult substance abuse and dependency to improve the quality of life in Harrison County.” [4]
However, these are just plans for what the county wants to do for the residents of Corydon and other municipalities within its borders. The county also has the ability to opt into various state-sponsored programs. Of the 7 programs approved by the state, Harrison County participates in just one: LHD Naloxone Distribution. This program focuses on providing local clinics and emergency departments with supplies of Naloxone, a drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The program also works to educate and train citizens on the importance of Naloxone as a life-saving tool in the fight against addiction.
Corydon Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Corydon is a fun, beautiful, and prosperous little city in south Indiana. Its historical buildings, natural caverns, and various entertainment businesses attract thousands of tourists every single year. Despite all the benefits of living and raising a family in Corydon, the city has not been immune to the growing substance abuse crisis. Moreover, there are very few local programs to guide people struggling with addiction to detox or rehabilitation. As a result, many residents of Corydon (and all of Harrison County) feel as if they have nowhere to turn for help.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in the town of Corydon, 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 is one of the most celebrated and successful detox and rehab centers in Indiana. We have highly-trained staff and comfortable, modern facilities to ensure that each and every patient can recover in peace. We help each patient address their individual needs and take them through every step of the process — from the first days of detox to rehabilitation and aftercare support. 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 needs 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.
