NEW CASTLE (Sept. 3, 2019) – Health and public safety officials are urging people in active use of heroin or other opioids and their families to seek immediate treatment and to acquire the overdose-reversing medication naloxone in the wake of six suspected overdose deaths, including four in Sussex County, during the holiday weekend.
The six suspected overdose deaths happened in Sussex and New Castle counties between Friday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Sept. 1, the Division of Forensic Science reported. Preliminary data show that first responders in Sussex County – police, fire and EMS – responded to 25 suspected overdose incidents between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, a substantial increase over a typical four-day period.
The five deaths from suspected overdoses on Aug. 30-31 brought the monthly total for August to 33 deaths. As of today, Sept. 3, the Division of Forensic Science has reported a total of 194 suspected overdose deaths in Delaware this year. There is always a lag in terms of both toxicology analyses and death determinations. In 2018, there were 400 overdose deaths across the state, an increase of 16 percent from the 2017 total of 345 deaths.
“Until the Division of Forensic Science determines the particular chemical make-up of the substances involved in these deaths, it is critical that people be aware of the dangers,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a practicing family physician. “Five of these deaths happened at residences, so it’s important that people have naloxone in their homes if they know or suspect their loved one is using opioids. If you see someone overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately, begin rescue breathing and administer naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and save the person in distress.”
“Naloxone saves lives,” said Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We urge anyone who needs access to naloxone to connect with Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, which operates the syringe services program for the Division of Public Health or go to a participating pharmacy to buy the overdose-reversing medication. We also urge Delawareans to download OpiRescue Delaware, a new smartphone app that provides lifesaving step-by-step instructions on how to respond to an overdose, including administration of naloxone.” For more information, go to HelpIsHereDE.com, and click on the overdose prevention tab.
In 2018, first responders administered 3,728 doses of naloxone, compared with 2,861 doses in 2017, a 30 percent increase.
Elizabeth Romero, director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), urged individuals in active substance use to see a medical provider immediately, come to a DSAMH Bridge Clinic in Sussex or New Castle counties, or call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Services Helpline to be connected to trained crisis professionals who can discuss treatment options.
The Sussex County Bridge Clinic, in the Thurman Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, is open from 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 302-515-3310. The New Castle County Bridge Clinic, 14 Central Ave. (just off U.S. 13) near New Castle, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 302-255-1650. The Kent County Bridge Clinic is expected to open this fall.
In Kent and Sussex counties, the DSAMH Crisis Helpline number is 1-800-345-6785. In New Castle County, the number is 1-800-652-2929. Individuals and families also can visit DHSS’ website, www.HelpIsHereDE.com, to find addiction treatment and recovery services in Delaware and nearby states.
Romero encouraged anyone who is using or suffering from addiction to call for help, see a medical provider, or ask a police officer or another first responder for help. “Too many times, our police officers, EMTs and other first responders see first-hand the dangers of overdoses,” she said. “Our first priority is to save lives.”
Under Delaware’s 911/Good Samaritan Law, people who call 9-1-1 to report an overdose and the person in medical distress cannot be arrested for low-level drug crimes.
In 2018, the Division of Forensic Science confirmed the presence of fentanyl in 296 of the 400 total fatal overdoses, a 41 percent increase over 2017. Fentanyl is a synthetic pain reliever that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
Drug dealers sell fentanyl in a variety of ways, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Dealers sell pure fentanyl in white powder form to users who often assume they are buying heroin. They lace cocaine or heroin with fentanyl. And they press fentanyl into pills and pass them off as Oxycodone.
When users ingest fentanyl or a drug laced with fentanyl, it affects their central nervous system and brain. Because it is such a powerful opioid, users often have trouble breathing or can stop breathing as the drug sedates them. If someone is too drowsy to answer questions, is having difficulty breathing, or appears to be so asleep they cannot be awakened, call 9-1-1 immediately, start rescue breathing and administer naloxone if you have it at home.

Dover, Del. (September 3, 2019) — The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Governor’s Awards for the Arts, which pay tribute to distinguished individuals and organizations that have had a profound and lasting impact on the state’s artistic and cultural life.  The 2019 Governor’s Awards for the Arts were coordinated by the Delaware Division of the Arts in conjunction with the Delaware State Arts Council and the Office of Governor John C. Carney.  Award recipients were selected from a pool of candidates solicited during an extensive nominating process.

To celebrate the recipients’ achievements, an award ceremony will be held on Monday, October 28, at 4:00 p.m. at the Rollins Center at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.  As part of the celebration, the Music School of Delaware’s Suzuki Academy Honors Program Student String Quartet will perform.  A reception with light fare will be held prior to the ceremony from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  The reception and award ceremony are free and open to the public.  The Governor’s Awards for the Arts reception and ceremony immediately follow the 2019 Delaware Arts Summit.

“We are honored to host this event, recognizing exemplary service to the arts in Delaware,” said Paul Weagraff, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts.  “Delaware owes so much to these individuals and organizations for the tireless work they do to enhance Delaware’s schools, communities, and quality of life.”

 

2019 GOVERNOR’S AWARDS FOR THE ARTS RECIPIENTS

 

ARTS ADMINISTRATION: Individual who has shown sustained, impactful, and visionary executive leadership of an arts organization.
Raye Jones Avery
Raye Jones Avery has been a leader in the arts and education sectors in Delaware for more than 30 years. Since 1991, she has been the Executive Director of the Christina Cultural Arts Center in Wilmington where classes are offered to foster creativity and artistic achievement. During her tenure, she has successfully made the arts accessible to urban children and youth through innovative and affordable programming. Raye has also been a partner in Wilmington’s Creative District, focusing on creative production and consumption of the arts by diverse audiences.

 

ARTS EDUCATION: Individual or organization that has made significant contributions through leadership and creativity to advance arts education in Delaware’s schools and communities, or in community organizations.
Charles J. Conway
Charlie Conway joined the staff of the Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) in 1983 and became a part of the Theatre’s Education Department in 1991 when he was named the first Director of Education. He continued as the founder and director of the DTC’s award-winning Department of Education and Community Engagement. Formerly a teacher, Charlie combined a background in Psychology, Education, and Child Development with his experience as an actor. He provided drama instruction to children, adults, and special-needs populations for many DTC programs, as well as numerous schools and institutions throughout the state.

 

ARTS PATRON: Individual, foundation or entity that, over time, has sustained and enhanced the arts in their community or the state of Delaware through contributions of their time, effort, or financial resources.

Arts Patron, Corporate:
M&T Bank
M&T Bank continues Wilmington Trust’s tradition of sustaining and developing the local community and region with a goal of creating an attractive, vibrant, and culturally superior place for residents and for employers to draw workers. They are one of a small number of companies with true statewide reach and interest with ongoing support of arts organizations in all three Delaware counties. In addition to financial support, the company encourages its employees to volunteer for area non-profits, both as direct service volunteers, and as members serving on boards and committees.

Arts Patron, Individual:
Carla Markell
For the last two decades, Carla Markell has led by example, showing Delawareans that we all have a vital role to play as patrons of the arts. Consistently, she has made the public case that supporting the arts is an economic responsibility for the benefit of the local community and the state as a whole. As a patron, Carla used her public role as Delaware’s First Lady to underscore the impact of the arts as a jobs creator, community-wellness asset, and a unique tool to impact underserved populations. Carla has participated in numerous small and large fundraising opportunities for the arts. Her commitment and passion has led her to promote and lead major fundraising events and to just as easily work behind the scenes.

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Individual or organization that works to create or strengthen interactive arts participation among diverse community members while increasing the public awareness about the role of the arts in community life.
Art Therapy Express
Founded in 2003 by Lisa Bartoli, Art Therapy Express is an organization that provides innovative therapeutic arts programming throughout the state of Delaware. They serve over 1,000 children and adults with mild to severe intellectual, physical, emotional, and communication disabilities within special education school programs, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations.  Their vision has been to provide a safe and empowering space for all people to express themselves, connect with peers, and feel joy through the power and creativity of art. This is often accomplished through the use of adaptive technology with custom-designed tools, art media, and equipment.

 

PEGGY AMSTERDAM AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: This award was created in honor of Peggy Amsterdam, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts from 1993-2000. Before her untimely passing in 2009, Peggy was a pillar in the arts world – recognized regionally and nationally for her leadership and vision, for expanding people’s access to the arts, and for supporting excellence in artistic expression.
Debora Hansen
Deb Hansen has worked tirelessly to advance the arts in Delaware and in our schools through her work at the Delaware Department of Education, as an art teacher, within arts education organizations, arts advocacy groups, and by contributing her leadership to national arts advocacy and education causes.  Since 2000, Deb has been the Education Associate for the Delaware Department of Education responsible for the coordination of arts education, programs for gifted and talented students, and the implementation of the Professional Learning Standards. Energetic and enthusiastic, Deb has diligently pledged that all K-12 students should receive arts education in Delaware.

 

Thank You to the Awards Selection Panel:  Diane Albanese, Milton; Jennifer Gunther, Newark; Peter Harrigan, Rehoboth Beach; John Moore, Sr., Wilmington; and Delaware State Arts Council Chair, J. Mack Wathen, Hockessin.

 

For the Recipients:  Each of the recipients of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts will receive a Colonial Blue Filigree Caldera created by Delaware artist Marcie Tauber.  In nature, the inward collapse of a volcano forms a large cauldron-like depression which is known as a caldera.  In Tauber’s studio, patterned glass is slumped (or collapsed) into successively deeper molds in a hot kiln.  The result is a large, cauldron-like bowl, which she calls a “Caldera.”

 

History of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts:  Governor Russell W. Peterson began the tradition of honoring Delaware artists and art supporters in 1970.  Since then, 48 individuals and organizations have received a Governor’s Award for their contributions to the arts in Delaware.  The Governor’s Awards for the Arts are now typically held once during each four-year term of the current Governor.

For a list of the previous award winners, visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/governors-awards/

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Contact: Dennis Lawson, Interim Communications Coordinator
302-743-8927 (cell), dennis.lawson@delaware.gov

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The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.