Unless you hail from northwest Indiana or Newton County, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Kentland, Indiana. This sleepy little town is home to just 1,641 people, as of the latest census. The economy is heavily rooted in agriculture, and despite its small size, Kentland can boast that it is one of the seed corn capitals of the world. However, the small and declining population has led to a contracted economy in recent years.
Like many small towns in Indiana, Kentland was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The median household income in Kentland is just $56,442, which is well below the median in most other towns and cities in the state. While the town does benefit from a low cost of living and the support of its larger municipality, Jefferson Township, nearly 1 in 5 residents of Kentland live below the poverty line, compared to just over 1 in 10 residents of the state of Indiana as a whole. [1]
Economic hardship has been one of the primary drivers of substance abuse in Kentland and the rest of Newton County. Additionally, Kentland is situated at the crossroads of Interstates 24 and 41, less than five miles from the Illinois state border. This makes it easier for illicit street drugs to be trafficked through the region. Based on the most recent data, marijuana, meth, and alcohol are the three most commonly abused substances in Kentland, Indiana. The town 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 Kentland, Indiana. And remember, if you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Kentland or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Kentland
Nearly every town and city in Indiana relies on its parent county to collect substance abuse data on its behalf, and the town of Kentland is no exception. Unfortunately, this means that the data coming out of Kentland alone is combined with the data from other municipalities in Newton County. While Kentland serves as the county seat and is the largest town by population, other towns like Goodland (pop. 1,043) and Morocco (pop. 1,129) also contribute to the substance abuse cases analyzed at the county level.
However, Newton County is one of the smallest counties in Indiana, with a population of just 13,830. This means that Kentland accounts for approximately 11.8% of the county population. And, by some estimates, it may contribute as much as 20% of the substance abuse cases (arrests, overdoses, and deaths) in Newton County. Consequently, evaluating the county-level data can help uncover the current state of substance abuse in the town of Kentland alone.
With such a small population, it is no surprise that Newton County records relatively few deaths caused by drugs or alcohol each year. However, when compared to the death-to-population ratio of nearby counties in Indiana, the number of deaths in Newton County is higher than average (for most years). 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 | 7 | N/A |
2017 | 1 | Decreased by 85.7% |
2018 | 7 | Increased by 600.0% |
2019 | 3 | Decreased by 57.1% |
2020 | 4 | Increased by 33.3% |
2021 | 9 | Increased by 125.0% |
2022 | 3 | Decreased by 66.7% |
*2023 | 5 | 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, the number of annual deaths has seen substantial changes from one year to the next in Newton County. Between 2016 and 2018, deaths involving addictive substances dropped from 7 to just 1, only to rebound to 7 again. Fatal overdoses peaked in 2021 at 9 before declining to just 3 in 2022. While the data for 2023 and 2024 is still provisional and could be subject to change in the near future, the 5 deaths per year over the last 2 years indicate that the substance abuse crisis in Kentland and Newton County could be getting even worse.
Based on our research, non-fatal overdoses are often a better indication of total substance abuse cases, especially in small populations. Non-fatal overdoses are far more common, and therefore, they offer more data to analyze. They are also easier to collect via hospital discharges and emergency department visits involving addictive substances. The table below shows the relevant overdose data in Newton County between 2016 and 2024: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 23 | N/A |
2017 | 27 | Increased by 17.4% |
2018 | 23 | Decreased by 14.8% |
2019 | 28 | Increased by 21.7% |
2020 | 19 | Decreased by 32.1% |
2021 | 17 | Decreased by 10.5% |
2022 | 16 | Decreased by 5.9% |
*2023 | 17 | 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.
Between 2016 and 2020, Newton County’s non-fatal overdoses followed a relatively similar pattern as its fatal overdoses. However, non-fatal overdoses began to decline in 2021 and have remained low (compared to previous years) ever since. This may be an indication that fewer people are abusing drugs and alcohol. However, it’s important to look at this data in comparison with fatal overdoses and total overdoses (fatal plus non-fatal).
In 2016, Newton County recorded 30 total overdoses, 7 of which were fatal. That means that in 2016, 23.3% of overdoses ended in death. In 2022 (the latest year with finalized data), New County recorded 19 total overdoses, 3 of which were fatal. This means that fatal overdoses accounted for about 15.7% of total overdoses. While the data for 2023 and 2024 could indicate a sudden spike in the percentage of fatal overdoses, the current data shows that the rate of fatal overdoses is in decline.
Types of Substance Abuse in Kentland
In 2023 and 2024, marijuana, meth, and alcohol were the three most abused substances in Newton County. In years past, alcohol was the number-one offender for substance abuse cases in Indiana. However, in most counties and municipalities, alcohol has taken a back seat to meth and marijuana. Newton County is a perfect example of this shift. These trends are based on arrest and re-arrest records, which are not an exact science. They do not account for substance abuse that occurs without any crimes committed or incarcerations involved. That said, the data does offer an overview of different types of substance abuse and how addiction has changed in the area over 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 2024 in Newton County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 121 | 41 | 1 | 30 | 6 | 16 | 77 |
2017 | 176 | 67 | 13 | 71 | 17 | 12 | 117 |
2018 | 111 | 36 | 5 | 51 | 11 | 10 | 72 |
2019 | 104 | 35 | 2 | 42 | 16 | 11 | 57 |
2020 | 111 | 55 | 6 | 30 | 35 | 13 | 49 |
2021 | 104 | 53 | 4 | 47 | 25 | 10 | 37 |
2022 | 121 | 43 | 8 | 53 | 26 | 17 | 54 |
2023* | 120 | 25 | 12 | 80 | 29 | 16 | 49 |
2024* | 116 | 23 | 16 | 67 | 32 | 7 | 52 |
*Statistics for 2023 and 2024 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year(s).
The total number of arrests involving addictive substances has remained relatively consistent over time in Newton County. The two years with the fewest arrests were 2018 and 2020, with 111 arrests each year, and the year with the most arrests was 2017, with 176 arrests. However, for the majority of years, arrests hovered between 111 and 121.
Alcohol arrests only began to decline substantially in 2023 and 2024, though this data is still provisional. Alternatively, cocaine arrests saw a dramatic increase in those same two years. Marijuana arrests more than doubled since 2016, and meth arrests increased five-times over between 2016 and 2024. Opioid arrests have been relatively high and consistent over the same time period. Finally, drug paraphernalia arrests declined somewhat since 2016; these arrests are most often associated with meth or heroin abuse.
Kentland Substance Abuse Resources
Kentland does not have any programs to combat substance abuse or educate youth on the dangers of addiction. This is relatively common, given the small size of the town. Like most small towns in Indiana, Kentland depends on the county and state for support.
Many counties in Indiana publish a community action plan that outlines general goals and efforts to reduce substance abuse. Newton County’s community action plan states that “It is the mission of the Coalition for a Drug Free Newton County to educate and promote local activities that reduce the legal and illegal use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Newton County.” [4]
Additionally, Newton County participates in 1 of the 7 state-sponsored programs: First Responder Naloxone Training. Naloxone is a substance used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and has helped save millions of lives across the country. This training program teaches emergency responders the proper application of Naloxone during opioid overdoses. The program also helps ensure that emergency departments and health clinics have adequate access to Naloxone.
Kentland Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Kentland may be a very small city, but it plays a major role in the economy and culture of Jefferson Township, Newton County, and to a certain degree, all of northwestern Indiana. Sadly, the proliferation of street drugs has only made addiction more common in Kentland and the surrounding area. To make matters worse, there are very few programs at the county or state level to support those in need. As a result, people fighting addiction feel as though they have nowhere to turn for help.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in the town of Kentland, 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 respected drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation centers in the state and the region. Our trained staff has years of experience helping people get clean of drugs and alcohol for good. We also offer a wide range of services to help patients at different steps on their path to sobriety. 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.
