The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DPR), announces important updates to the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder section of the My Healthy Community (MHC) Dashboard. 

These updates are located within this section’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) tab and present trends in prescription drug dispensing in Delaware. The most notable update to the PMP page is a color-coded matrix to identify communities that may be at higher risk of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The rate of prescriptions for high dose (greater than or equal to 90 Morphine Milligram Equivalents [MME]) and extended-release opioids are indicators of a high need for treatment. The key indicators available on the site include:  

• Prescription opioids  
• High-dose opioids  
• Long-acting/extended-release opioids  
• Benzodiazepines filled in the same month as an opioid  
• Cash paid opioid prescriptions  
• Opioid prescriptions paid by Medicaid  
• Opioid partial agonist prescriptions  

In collaboration with the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS), the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announces the addition of suspected drug overdose death counts to the agency’s publicly available My Healthy Community (MHC) data dashboard. These data can be viewed on the Drug Overdose Deaths tab within the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder section of MHC.

Suspected drug overdose death counts are an early signal of changing trends in Delaware’s opioid overdose epidemic. Suspected drug overdose deaths based on forensic investigator scene impressions are reported to DPH within a week of occurrence and are considered preliminary. Further information from autopsies, toxicology results, and death diagnosis coding will likely result to a final count of drug overdose death that may differ from the initial estimates of suspected drug overdose deaths. The annual total number of drug overdose deaths of Delaware residents is available on MHC following the finalization of death certificate data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics and the Delaware Health Statistics Center.

Drug overdose deaths continue to occur in alarming numbers. In the first half of 2023, 247 suspected drug overdose deaths occurred in Delaware, consistent with the trend in 2022 with 255 drug overdose deaths occurring in Delaware during the same timeframe. Monthly data on the data dashboard reflect the recent record high counts in November and December 2022, and January 2023, that were reported by DPH and DFS earlier this year.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services currently publishes the year-to-date total number of suspected overdose deaths on the homepage of its website and HelpisHereDE.com.

The My Healthy Community (MHC) data platform presents indicators of health outcomes to the public and has implemented an innovative method to facilitate the presentation of health, demographic, and social determinant of health data in Delaware. The software provides an extensive framework for integrating data sets, generating analyses and visualizations, and managing both public and internal reports. The CDC’s Overdose Data to Action grant funded the addition of the suspected drug overdose death data to the dashboard.

For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. To search for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

Health Officials Fear Opioid Epidemic Has Not Plateaued

NEW CASTLE (Dec. 8, 2022) – In a heartbreaking sign that the opioid epidemic has not plateaued in Delaware, deaths from suspected overdoses in November set a new monthly high total, according to death investigation reports from the Division of Forensic Science.

In November 2022, 43 people died from suspected overdoses in Delaware. That surpasses the previous monthly high total of 42 set in May of this year. The 43 deaths included 21 people from New Castle County, 18 from Sussex County and four from Kent County.

Through Nov. 30, preliminary reports from the Division of Forensic Science show that 376 people have died from suspected overdoses in Delaware. That total is an 18% increase over a similar period in 2021. In 2021, Delaware reported 515 overdose deaths, with more than 80% involving the use of fentanyl, a synthetic pain reliever that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. November’s total of 43 deaths is about 50% higher than the average total deaths for the month of November, dating back to 2015.

“These deaths are heartbreaking for families across our state,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term consequences for society, and behavioral health issues – including substance use disorder – is one of those consequences. The holiday season can add another layer of stress and anxiety to people’s lives, so we encourage Delawareans who need support – whether they are actively using substances or not – to reach out to talk with trained counselors, their own doctor, or another person they trust. At DHSS, we will continue to prioritize such harm-reduction strategies as training more loved ones to use Narcan, the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, and helping more people get connected to the treatment they need to begin their recovery.”

To help address behavioral health needs of Delawareans, DHSS has several ways for individuals or their family members to connect:

• Call the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE or 1-833-946-7333 – a single point of contact in which callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance.
• Stop by one of DHSS’ Bridge Clinics for an in-person assessment.
• Visit TreatmentConnection.com to find out which treatment providers are located near you.
• Visit HelpIsHereDE.com, DHSS’ one-stop website where Delawareans can search for treatment services and resources in Delaware or nearby states.
• Call 988 if the individual is in crisis and needs immediate support.
• Call 911 if someone has overdosed and needs emergency medical attention.
• Learn where to find Narcan training, get the medication through the mail, and download the OpiRescueDE App here.

Joanna Champney, director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), urged individuals in active substance use to consult with a medical provider immediately or call DHSS’ Delaware Hope Line to discuss treatment options. “Every day, we see the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people’s lives,” Champney said. “Especially for those who are vulnerable, it has added stress to their lives, negatively impacted their mental health, and isolated them too often from services. Plus, we know the holidays are an additional stressor.”

“DSAMH is funding expansions of the continuum of care for substance use treatment services in each county,” Champney added. “We have increased our withdrawal management capacity by about 43% and our residential treatment by 22%. We have bolstered outpatient services by about 36% and our sober living recovery residences are up 3% overall. “For people who are uninsured or underinsured, the State will fund their treatment services. We’re also funding mobile treatment services and we have transportation services available. We want to reduce as many barriers to health care as possible.”

Champney encouraged anyone who is using substances or suffering from addiction to call for help, see a medical provider, or ask a police officer or another first responder for help. Family members can reach out on behalf of their loved ones, too. “Our first priority is to save lives,” she said.

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.

Interim Division of Public Health Director Dr. Rick Hong urged those in active use to get Narcan through one of DSAMH’s Bridge Clinics, at a participating pharmacy – where no prescription is required – or at a Narcan training session.

“Narcan saves lives,” Dr. Hong said. “We urge anyone who needs access to Narcan to go to a Bridge Clinic, a training class or distribution event, or to a participating pharmacy to buy the overdose-reversing medication. We also encourage Delawareans to download OpiRescue Delaware, a smartphone app that provides lifesaving step-by-step instructions on how to respond to an overdose, including administration of Narcan.”

To find the Bridge Clinic in your county, training or distribution events, or a participating pharmacy, go to HelpIsHereDE.com, and click on the overdose prevention tab.

In addition, Dr. Hong praised Brandywine Counseling and Community Services’ Syringe Services Program, which provides outreach statewide. Brandywine Counseling’s mobile sites offer Narcan, fentanyl testing strips, and syringe services, and have a positive track record of connecting people to care for substance use disorder.

The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s Bridge Clinic locations and hours:

NEW CASTLE COUNTY
DSAMH Central Office
14 Central Ave.
New Castle, DE 19720
24/7
302-255-1650

New Castle County Hope Center
365 Airport Road
New Castle, DE 19720
Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
302-544-6815

KENT COUNTY
James W. Williams State Service Center
805 River Road, Third Floor
Dover, DE 19901
Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
302-857-5060

SUSSEX COUNTY
Thurman Adams State Service Center
546 S. Bedford St.
Georgetown, DE 19947
Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
302-515-3310

DOVER, Del. – State Auditor Kathy McGuiness announced today the release of a special report titled “Falling Short During the Opioid Crisis? Delaware’s Overdose Dashboard”. This special report reviewed Delaware’s current drug overdose deaths data dashboard to determine if enhancements are needed that would positively affect the end user experience and better inform the response to substance abuse issues in the state.

“The opioid crisis has taken a major toll on the lives of families across our state with Delaware ranked 3rd in the nation for drug overdose mortality in 2020,” Auditor McGuiness said. “Communication is key to increased preparedness and awareness for communities to counter the complex challenges of drug addiction. Concerned residents must have data at their fingertips and that data must be relevant for the prevention and treatment assistance so desperately needed by local Delaware communities.”

Under Delaware Code 2909, the State Auditor may produce special reports that examine state agencies’ performance and offer recommendations for greater accuracy and efficiency, as well as data, information, and recommendations the State Auditor deems advisable and necessary.

The opioid crisis is a major concern in the United States and Delaware’s state agencies have prioritized efforts to attack the issue at its roots as well as combat the aftermath of illicit opioids, yet the mortality rate in Delaware remains among the highest in the country. Designing a data dashboard that meets the needs of those using the information requires an understanding of the user’s perspective and proper coverage of the scope of the problem Delaware faces in combating drug overdose deaths.

“Publishing statistics in a timely and comprehensive manner conveys to the public that the issue is real, dangerous, and that the State is committed to action. Drug overdose mortality is one statistic where the First State must not become first” McGuiness said.

The new special report, “Falling Short During the Opioid Crisis? Delaware’s Overdose Dashboard” can be found here.

Learn about the Delaware Auditor’s Office at https://auditor.delaware.gov.

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Contact: Tori Parker, Deputy Auditor
tori.parker@delaware.gov