Ohio shows strong gains in fight against drug use, WalletHub report finds
Ohio has made notable strides in reducing drug-related problems, dropping from 31st to 45th in the nation in WalletHub’s latest “Drug Use by State” analysis.
The ranking, where No. 1 represents the worst conditions and No. 51 the best, shows improvements across all metrics from the two previous years’ reports.
The state earned an overall score of 31.28, down from 41.00 previously, reflecting fewer severe issues across key metrics. Ohio placed 22nd in drug use and addiction, 49th in law enforcement and 41st in drug health issues and rehab.
The progress aligns with sharp declines in overdose deaths. State data shows unintentional overdose fatalities dropped about 9% from 2022 to 2023, outperforming the national average, with even steeper reductions estimated in 2024 — among the largest one-year drops in the country.
In a release, Ohio’s Department of Behavioral Health attributed the results to numerous state programs and resources implemented or expanded under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative, launched in 2019, has coordinated prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm-reduction efforts through a whole-of-government approach.
Key measures include a 520% increase in the primary naloxone distribution program from 2019 to 2023, with more than 291,000 kits distributed and more than 20,000 known overdose reversals. Good Samaritan laws were also expanded to include individuals administering naloxone treatment during an overdose.
In 2023, the state legalized and distributed 1 million fentanyl test strips, helping users to avoid lethally laced substances.
Additional policies, such as House Bill 88, increased penalties for fentanyl trafficking while expanding access to treatment and early warning tools. Launched in 2025, RecoveryOhio’s Overdose Early Warning Dashboard is the latest tool to be deployed, tracking real-time data from emergency services, law enforcement and other sources to predict high-risk areas—enabling faster local responses.
“We owe it to every Ohio family, every person struggling with addiction to continue this battle and continue to do the things that we are doing and continue to look forward to saving more lives,” DeWine said during a previous press conference, Statehouse News Bureau reported.
While Ohio still faces challenges, particularly in use and addiction metrics, the latest WalletHub report reflects sizable improvements, placing Ohio well ahead of national averages. Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst, says a continued focus on multi-pronged strategies will be key to sustaining gains.
“Drug problems can start from multiple sources, like taking illegal substances with friends or getting hooked on a prescription that was originally given for a legitimate medical issue,” Lupo said. “As states fight drug addiction, they need to consider all angles and make sure they are not just addressing things from a law enforcement perspective but also providing the resources necessary to help people with addictions get clean.”
The WalletHub study, which analyzes 20 metrics including overdose rates, arrests, prescriptions and treatment access, highlights how targeted state policies can shift outcomes amid a national crisis.
