Located on the outskirts of Evansville along the Ohio River, Newburgh is a borough of Ohio Township. Despite its proximity to Evansville, Newburgh resides in a different county (Warrick County), though the borough is often included in the Evansville Metropolitan Area for statistical purposes. Newburgh, Indiana has a very long history, having been home to various inhabitants and cultures for millennia. In recent years, Newburgh served as a major riverport along Indiana’s southern border with Kentucky. Today, the local economy is bolstered by new housing developments, particularly those built for new residents in need of housing and job opportunities in nearby Evansville.
Newburgh is not large enough to be recognized in the official U.S. census, however, the latest estimates put the population at about 3,402, while the entirety of Ohio Township has roughly 41,238 residents, and Warrick County has 65,867 residents. Despite its small size, Newburgh and its surroundings are among the most affluent in the region. Ohio Township boasts a median household income of $94,117, and Warrick County has a poverty rate of just 7.4% — far below Indiana’s poverty rate of 12.6%. [1]
Despite the strong economy, Newburgh has not been immune to the substance abuse epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues related to addiction, resulting in more cases of substance abuse in Newburgh, Ohio Township, Warrick County, and nearly all of Indiana. Based on the most recent data, alcohol and meth are among the most commonly abused drugs in Newburgh, though marijuana, prescription opioids, cocaine, and heroin are not far behind.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Newburgh, Indiana. If you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Newburgh or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Newburgh
Newburgh is a small borough run by a town council. As a result, it doesn’t have the resources or personnel to track substance abuse within its borders. Instead, it depends on Warrick County officials to manage substance abuse data for Newburgh, Ohio Township, and the rest of the county. Unfortunately, this makes it quite difficult to parse Newburgh cases from those that occur in the rest of the county. Still, analyzing county-level data provides a broad picture of the state of addiction and substance abuse in the borough of Newburgh.
While Warrick County may not be the worst in the state when it comes to alcohol and drug abuse, it still sees deaths every single year. Some of these deaths originate in Newburgh, while others occur in other municipalities, like Chandler and Boonville. Newburgh accounts for only 5.2% of the county population, but based on local coroner’s reports, it may contribute as much as 15% of the county’s total substance abuse cases.
Overdose deaths are a key figure when analyzing the severity of substance abuse in a city or county. Though it’s true that Warrick County doesn’t see nearly as many deaths as other counties in southern Indiana, the figures have increased substantially in recent years, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. [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 | 2 | N/A |
2017 | 6 | Increased by 200.0% |
2018 | 7 | Increased by 16.7% |
2019 | 8 | Increased by 14.3% |
2020 | 17 | Increased by 112.5% |
2021 | 18 | Increased by 5.9% |
2022 | 9 | Decreased by 50.0% |
*2023 | 5 | Decreased by 55.6% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
With a population the size of Warrick County, the dataset is bound to be small. As you can see in the table above, the number of overdose deaths stayed in the single digits most years. However, this doesn’t mean that one can ignore the clear uptick in deaths. Between 2016 and 2021, overdose deaths in Warrick County increased by 800%. Between 2021 and 2022, overdose deaths were cut in half, and they continued to decrease in 2023. However, the data for 2023 is still preliminary, and even if it does not change, it’s still more than twice as many deaths as the county recorded in 2016.
Given the small dataset related to overdose deaths in Warrick County, it’s also important to consider non-lethal overdoses. Historically, these figures tend to be much higher in Warrick County and most counties throughout the state. The table below shows the hospital discharges and emergency department visits involving overdoses in Warrick County between 2016 and 2023: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges & Emergency Department Visits | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 112 | N/A |
2017 | 110 | Decreased by 1.8% |
2018 | 118 | Increased by 7.3% |
2019 | 101 | Decreased by 14.4% |
2020 | 82 | Decreased by 18.8% |
2021 | 97 | Increased by 18.3% |
2022 | 89 | Decreased by 8.2% |
*2023 | 51 | Decreased by 42.7% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
The data for overdose deaths and non-lethal overdoses are inversely correlated, with a downward trend in total overdoses, despite higher death counts during the pandemic. This generally indicates that Warrick County is doing a better job of preventing substance abuse as a whole, but may not be offering enough resources to help those who are already struggling and are at the highest risk of a fatal overdose. It’s also important to note that, in spite of the decline in non-lethal overdoses, the total number of overdoses is still surprisingly high for the small population.
Types of Substance Abuse in Newburgh
In 2022, alcohol and meth were the most abused drugs in Warrick County. This is primarily based on arrest and re-arrest records for the year. However, this is just for 2022. It’s also necessary to look at other years to see how substance abuse trends have changed and what types of substances are most commonly abused in recent years. 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 Warrick County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 621 | 239 | 2 | 251 | 239 | 16 | 356 |
2017 | 763 | 349 | 4 | 320 | 289 | 12 | 478 |
2018 | 1119 | 357 | 15 | 475 | 472 | 61 | 679 |
2019 | 793 | 283 | 6 | 267 | 389 | 50 | 441 |
2020 | 562 | 171 | 5 | 199 | 306 | 36 | 339 |
2021 | 668 | 222 | 5 | 202 | 338 | 48 | 353 |
2022 | 470 | 218 | 4 | 132 | 202 | 31 | 182 |
2023* | 494 | 156 | 2 | 112 | 180 | 47 | 149 |
*Statistics for 2023 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year.
The arrest data above indicates that substance abuse involving specific substances may be in decline in Warrick County. Between 2016 and 2023, total arrests declined by 20.4%, with substantial drops in alcohol, marijuana, and meth-related arrests. Incidents involving drug paraphernalia also declined dramatically, and these arrests are most often associated with heroin or meth abuse. The only substance that became more prevalent between 2016 and 2023 was prescription opioids, with arrests increasing by 193.7%.
Newburgh Substance Abuse Resources
Once again, Newburgh is just a borough of Ohio Township, so it is too small to have its own substance abuse task force or any other programs to help fight addiction. Ohio Township doesn’t have any proprietary programs, either. Instead, both municipalities depend on the county and state for assistance. Unfortunately, Warrick County does not offer any of the same state-sponsored initiatives that are available in many other counties, such as Naxolone distribution and emergency training for first responders.
However, Newburgh residents can access some assistance via the Warrick County Cares organization. This organization focuses on youth-centered educational initiatives and grants to help prevent younger residents from experimenting with drugs and alcohol. The mission and scope of Warrick County Cares has grown since its founding in 2010 and it continues to offer programs at middle schools and high schools in the area. [4]
Newburgh Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Newburgh is a small yet strong community on the southern border of Indiana. It enjoys fascinating historical monuments, a strong economy, and beautiful riverfront views. However, for many residents, life in Newburgh is far from easy. Addiction continues to plague dozens of families in the area. In some cases, it results in death, but in every case, it results in untold pain and suffering. Sadly, without many programs to help direct those in need toward an effective treatment program, many Newburgh residents continue to struggle in silence.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in Newburgh and are looking for addiction treatment options, Addiction Rehab Centers is just a phone call away (or a 2.5-hour drive away). Located in Indianapolis, Addiction Rehab Centers has everything you or a loved one needs to recover in peace. Our trained staff have years of experience managing withdrawal symptoms, offering vital therapy sessions, and generally providing a comfortable and relaxing environment in which to thrive. Additionally, we are equipped to treat addiction and co-occurring mental health issues simultaneously, ensuring that you can get all of the help you need 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 866-338-5036.
