NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announces the launch of the Health Equity Advancement Project, consisting of two funding opportunities that seek to develop strategies for addressing rising opioid overdose deaths among Black and African American communities in Delaware.

DSAMH will award eight mini grants as well as the opportunity to partner in local messaging campaigns/events to combat the stigma of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and treatment.

“Overdose deaths among African American/Black Delawareans rose from 22% to 29% between 2021 and 2022,” said DSAMH Director Joanna Champney. “We know that community-based organizations are the engines managing crises before people get to the hospital. That’s why it’s so critical for us to engage our community partners.”

The Health Equity Advancement Project focusses on understanding, engaging, and addressing the needs of racial and ethnic minorities with Opioid Use Disorder and/or Stimulant Use Disorder in Delaware. Eight organizations will be awarded $50,000 mini grants, which have an eleven-week implementation period from July 17, 2023, to Sept. 29, 2023.

The grants will concentrate on four identified areas: community needs assessment and/or health equity data analysis; implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate standards; culturally specific stakeholder engagement strategies; and grassroots and community-based partnerships.

“This type of focus on health in Black and Brown communities in our state is crucial,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Chair of the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium. “Combatting health inequities takes a holistic, proactive approach, working with affected communities to drive strategies and solutions. In addition to helping us better understand what’s causing the spikes in opioid use among Black and Brown Delawareans, these grants will help us to tailor educational and awareness materials, reduce the stigma around substance use disorder and ultimately better support our Delawareans on their road to recovery.”

In addition to the mini grants, DSAMH also seeks partnerships with community organizations and leaders that are interested in conducting education/awareness campaigns and refining them with a special emphasis on underserved populations. The campaigns will focus on reducing stigma around substance use disorder and the use of medications for Opioid Use Disorders, promoting awareness of and access to substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, preventing SUD among youth and adults, promoting access to Narcan, and highlighting recovery stories.

The project will culminate in a Health Equity Summit held in September 2023 to highlight the emerging strategies, successes, and to workshop barriers between communities.

Those seeking more information or who may be interested in becoming a partner are encouraged to attend the project’s virtual Information Session scheduled for Monday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is requested. Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlf-GprDstHNX1Euk1ZPyjjDXWhQEzlD5d. A recording will also be made available after the session on the Addiction Treatment Resource Center (ATRC).

To learn more about the project and to apply for either the mini grant or to become a HEAP partner, visit ATRC.DHSS.Delaware.gov.

MILFORD (June 6, 2023) – Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) led a community response briefing on Friday to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address substance use among Delaware youth, and to highlight innovative educational and outreach programs taking place across the state in coordination with schools and community partners.

Organized by the DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, these quarterly briefings aim to inform the public about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

“As a mom, nurse and professor, I want our kids to be on the best possible path. That path begins with prevention and engagement. I will continue to work with our state agencies, community advocates and partners to deliver a behavioral health system that works for everyone – that’s what our kids deserve,” said Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium. “Today, we examined the numbers around youth substance use and prevention, and it’s so important to back up that data with action. A strong, healthy Delaware means everyone has the chance to be successful and follow their dreams and that starts with our kids.”

DOE Secretary Mark Holodick and DSCYF Secretary Josette D. Manning opened the event and underscored the need to assure the safety of Delaware youth.

“Our schools in Delaware have a unique opportunity to provide education to students and families about avoiding substance abuse. Students spend an average of 1,000 hours each year in school, so we know that schools need to be an active partner in helping our kids and their families navigate the changing landscape of substance abuse,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said.

Dr. Rochelle Brittingham, Associate Scientist for the Center for Drug & Health Studies at the University of Delaware shared data from the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). While self-reported drug use among school-aged individuals has decreased in Delaware, attitudes about drug use are becoming more casual, which raises concerns, noted Dr. Brittingham. Only 56% of high schoolers think using prescription drugs without a prescription poses a great risk, while 37% believe it poses slight or moderate risk, and 7% believe it poses no risk at all, according to the YRBS in 2021.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that although middle school and high school aged youth in the U.S. reported using fewer illicit drugs in 2020, there was a 94% increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020 among this age group and a 20% increase from 2020 to 2021.

DSCYF Secretary Manning pointed to the CDC statistic that shows median monthly overdose deaths among individuals aged 10 to 19 years old increased 109% from 2019 to 2021.

“The data is shocking,” DSCYF Secretary Josette D. Manning said. “We must take action to help our children. The best way for parents to safeguard their children is to educate themselves and to talk openly with their children about drugs and alcohol, long before they start experimenting with it.”

Despite reporting less illicit drug use among this population overall, the CDC points to the potency of the drugs as a major contributing factor to the increase in overdose deaths among youth. Approximately 90% of overdose deaths involved opioids, and 83.9% involved illicit manufactured fentanyl.

The Division of Public Health’s Chief Physician Dr. Michael Coletta underscored the need for the community to support adolescents and teens by implementing programs to prevent adverse childhood experiences. The Division of Public Health created the #MyReasonWhyDE social media campaign to provide teens a platform to share their reason to remain drug free and embrace a resilient mind frame.

Sabra Collins, education associate for physical education, health and wellness for the Delaware Department of Education provided updates regarding new regulations supporting substance use prevention education (referred to as Regulation 551), news about mental health literacy, and information on drug and alcohol training courses provided by the agency.

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney highlighted the Talk2KidsAboutDrugs toolkit. The toolkit can help inform parents, caregivers and educators about substance use and addiction risks among teens. The toolkit, available at HelpisHereDE.com, contains resources such as facts sheets, educational materials, and social media messaging that schools can implement to support drug and alcohol prevention. Parents and educators can find the full toolkit at www.helpisherede.com/talk-2-kids-about-drugs.

Tom Morrison, Family Services Program Administrator with DSCYF’s Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services advised parents to make their home as safe as possible by securing medication, safely disposing of medications, and to consider obtaining Narcan and training on when and how to use it if there are opioids or opioid users in the child’s life.

Peggy Geisler, Executive Director of the Sussex County Health Coalition, shared how her organization serves as a catalyst for state agencies, community-based organizations and health care providers to support a wide breadth of initiatives, programs, resourcing, and education for community-based issues concerning social determinants of health. The coalition’s campaign Delaware Goes Purple reaches 100,000 Delawareans and encourages them to stand up, to erase the stigma around addiction and support people who need it most.

“We know that young people’s brains are still developing well into their early 20’s, and education alone is not enough during years when impulse control is still developing. So providing meaningful activities for teens is crucial. The more we can build social safety nets around our teens, where they connect with caring adults and learn positive skills, the more we lower the risk of teens turning to unhealthy behaviors,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said.

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.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 8, 2023) – Divisions from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF) are working together to prevent opioid abuse among young athletes by funding innovative prevention programs in the community.

The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) and the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) are helping local athletic groups provide programs that include evidence-based curriculum to help prevent opioid use by youth. Funded by a federal grant in response to the state’s opioid epidemic, the project includes the Delaware Ducks football team, Duffy’s Hope basketball league, and Slingshot Family Services’ lacrosse team.

Delaware continues to struggle with opioid overdoses. In 2021, the Delaware Division of Forensic Science reported 515 overdose deaths in Delaware, an increase of almost 19.5% over the last three years. Of the 515 total deaths in 2021, 420 (81%) involved fentanyl, a synthetic pain reliever that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine.

“Providing preventative education is important in this fight against Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and focusing on teen athletes who may be exposed to opioids due to injury is another way we’re trying to lower the public’s risk,” said DSAMH Director Joanna Champney.

DSAMH, a division of the Department of Health and Social Services, has been able to provide funding for these and other programs through the State Opioid Response (SOR) Initiative. The overall goals for SOR in Delaware include decreasing opioid overdoses statewide, improving understanding of and engagement and retention in OUD/SUD treatment and identifying and engaging high-risk populations in treatment.

The Ducks football program is year-round and geared toward middle school aged boys. Federal grants administered by DSAMH and DPBHS are funding the football team’s use of an evidence-based curriculum called SPORT. The curriculum presents information to the players, coaches and parents about the dangers of drug use and includes a parental component that requires 100% participation. During the summer, the Ducks hosted a mini conference for their participants and families. Approximately 400 youth and 100 coaches and caregivers participated in prevention and educational activities on the consequences of opioid and/or stimulant misuse.

Slingshot Family Services, which is bringing lacrosse to youth in Wilmington, and Duffy’s Hope high school basketball league in Glasgow and Wilmington, are also participating in the initiative using the SPORT curriculum. The goal is to promote physical activity and sports, combined with wellness focused activities that increase positive behaviors around stress management, nutrition, sleep and other areas. This lowers teens’ risk for addiction.

“Unfortunately, student athletes may be at an elevated risk of substance misuse due to injury, intense pressure to perform, anxiety and the belief that drugs may enhance their performance,” said Shelly Lazorchak, Director of Prevention Services for the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, part of the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF). “It is critical for the adults around them to understand the impact of substances on a youth’s developing brain and encourage them to delay first use of substances as long as possible.”

The Ducks have also partnered for the last two years with aTAcK addiction, an organization that provides educational presentations on strategies to eliminate drug addiction.

“The players have been attentive and expressed interest and concern regarding this problem,” said Don Keister, a board member of aTAcK addiction. “The coaches have been supportive, reinforcing the importance of resisting the use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. I commend the work in helping these student athletes realize the dangers associated with experimentation at their young age.”

Ninety percent of Americans with a substance use disorder used their first substance prior to age 18. Adults should educate themselves on the risk factors facing youth and promote health and wellness. By engaging them in prevention education while continuing to encourage their participation in healthy activities, such as sports, it creates a win-win environment.

Are you a coach or athletic director in Delaware interested in partnering with DSCYF to offer preventative education and activities to your youth team or club? Contact Shelly Lazorchak at Rochelle.Lazorchak@Delaware.gov.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE for information and resources or visit HelpisHereDE.com.

For youth mental health resources, call the 24/7 Child Crisis Hotline (Mobile Response and Stabilization Services) at 1-800-969-HELP (4357). You can also contact the Prevention helpline at 302-633-2680 or PBHS_Prevention_Inquiries@delaware.gov (learn about free services for substance use, trauma, mental health, stress relief, healthy relationships, caregiver support and more).

NEWARK (Jan. 18, 2023) – Today, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, along with top leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), led a community response briefing to provide the latest information about suspected drug overdose deaths in the state, current and emerging dangers of illicit drug use, and a clear call to action to reduce overdose deaths through collaboration and innovative programs.

In 2021, Delaware reported 515 overdose deaths, an increase of more than 15% over 2020, according to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS). In Kent County, overdose deaths increased 74% from 50 in 2020 to 87 in 2021. DFS also reported that 425 of the 515 deaths involved fentanyl, a synthetic pain reliever that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine.

“As a nurse, Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium, and Lt. Governor, I hear every day from Delawareans and their families about the challenges they face battling substance use disorder and receiving the treatment services they so desperately need,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “We are working hard across our systems to expand access and connect individuals to quality treatment services. In 2020, Delaware was one of only four states to experience a decrease in the rate of overdose deaths thanks to the hard work of those who are committed to this fight. Still, too many families have an empty seat at the table because their loved one lost the battle to substance use disorder. The current data is alarming. We have to do even more to support them and ensure critical treatment and recovery services are ready and available, and to stop the loss. Delawareans deserve a behavioral health system that works for everyone.”

During the event, DHSS’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announced the establishment of the Opioid Response Center, which will soon utilize overdose incident data to dispatch targeted community outreach teams who will distribute Narcan and share information about how individuals can get help if they are struggling with addiction. The center is also planning to provide follow-up outreach to community members who have overdosed but who refused subsequent medical care.

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney underscored the sense of urgency among state leadership regarding opioid overdoses and introduced plans to hold quarterly briefings going forward to keep the public informed about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

“With overdose deaths continuing to rise, we must escalate our sense of urgency through regular and targeted discussions about the emerging dangers so people know exactly how they can get help.” Champney said.

Nathaniel McQueen, Secretary for the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security spoke of the agency’s commitment to reducing opioid deaths and pointed to the importance of collaboration among agencies and community partners.

“It is our hope that by increasing awareness of the great work done across our state and providing our citizens with data and resources associated with these programs, it will spark a call to action so that we are all better informed and can collectively join the efforts to combat substance use disorder, ultimately reducing the number of overdose deaths in Delaware,” said Secretary McQueen.

According to John Evans, Director of the Division of Forensic Science, preliminary reports show that there were 406 confirmed overdose deaths in the first three quarters of 2022, with approximately 124 suspected overdose deaths still pending final testing from the last quarter of 2022. This compares to 374 confirmed overdose deaths in the first three quarters of 2021.

“Unfortunately, the number of accidental drug overdose deaths occurring in the State has seen a 19% increase over the last three years,” said Evans. “Fentanyl continues to be the most frequently found compound, with it being identified in 82.5% of the overdose deaths. If you are a white male between the ages of 30-59, you are the most likely to die in our state as the result of a drug overdose.”

Captain Joshua Bushweller, Intelligence Commander and Director of the Delaware Intelligence and Analysis Center (DIAC) at the Delaware State Police shared that more than 5,000 drug related crime incidents occurred in 2022, with 19% being cocaine related, 19% heroin related, 3% methamphetamine, 2% hallucinogen., 2% amphetamine, 1% opium, and 3% other. Marijuana comprised 32% and paraphernalia 19%. New Castle County continues to have the highest incidence of opioid crime incidents compared to the other counties. Capt. Bushweller displayed a heatmap showing drug incident hotspots, calling attention to the top five cities with drug incidents in the last five years. The cities in order of prevalence are Wilmington, Dover, Newark, New Castle, and Seaford.

“The Delaware Information and Analysis Center remains committed, determined, and focused with our partners in reducing drug overdoses in Delaware,” said Bushweller. “We understand substance use disorder not only affects its victims, but their families and our communities are deeply impacted as well. The DIAC will continue to strive to serve as a meaningful partner by providing real time data, thorough analysis, and quality feedback to the various stakeholders as we collectively work together towards a healthier Delaware.”

Brent Waninger, DSAMH’s Director of Programs and Grant Administration, provided updated information on the state’s Police Diversion Program, a partnership between Delaware State Police and DSAMH. Individuals who are arrested with certain drug-related offenses are offered the option of meeting with a DSAMH representative who offers information about entering a substance use treatment program. Individuals who agree to enter treatment are eligible to be diverted from prosecution. Waninger was flanked during the briefing by clinicians and peers from DSAMH who are embedded at Delaware State Police Troop locations statewide, as well as State Police personnel instrumental in the program’s launch.

“These are some of the friendly faces who stand ready to talk with you about treatment, said Waninger. These are the people whose commitment, work ethic, real-life experience, and personal compassion have ensured that of the more than 1,000 referrals the PDP has connected with, nearly 40% have accepted the program, and of those, almost 70% were successfully connected to treatment services.”

Dr. Greg Wanner, Chief Physician for the Division of Public Health, provided a demonstration of the use of fentanyl test strips that are now included in the Narcan kits being distributed. The test strips are highly sensitive and will detect fentanyl down to 0.1 mcg/ml.

“The use of fentanyl test strips is an important part of a comprehensive harm reduction strategy to reduce overdose deaths in the state,” said Dr. Wanner. “Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in Delaware. The test strips are a preventive measure. After a test strip detects fentanyl, an individual can choose not to use the drug based on the additional risk. We will continue to discourage drug use and encourage people to seek treatment, but for persons with substance use disorder, we are using a compassionate approach to help raise awareness and empower those individuals to make informed choices.”

Brandywine Counseling and Community Services CEO Dr. Lynn Morrison discussed community outreach efforts happening across the state, including their various drop-in centers as well as Outreach Packs that are available for distribution increase in several programs including distributing Naloxone statewide, providing access to their mobile treatment and syringe services, and providing technology-based behavioral interventions.

“Recovery, hope, empowerment, and innovation – those concepts are what we must embrace every day if we want to tackle the overdose crisis in our communities,” said Dr. Morrison. “By intensifying our boots-on-the-ground approach to high-risk communities, we are confident we can reach those who need our services and support. Brandywine Counseling and Community Services has always been a welcoming and innovative organization – and we are determined to build stronger communities, by giving hope –and help – to the most vulnerable among us.”

DHSS Cabinet Secretary Molly Magarik closed the briefing with a call to action, encouraging Delawareans who need support – whether they are actively using substances or not – to reach out to trusted sources for help.

“We’re urging people who are struggling with addiction to consider different paths towards help,” said Secretary Magarik. “You can ask for the Police Diversion Program if you get in trouble with the law and are ready to get help. You can visit HelpIsHereDE.com to get information about Bridge Clinics where you can walk in and talk to someone who is in recovery themselves and who can help you explore your options for treatment. You can order fentanyl test strips from HelpisHereDE.com so you know what’s in the drugs you’re using and so you can make smart choices about protecting yourself. And you can connect with Brandywine Counseling’s drop-in centers to get help.”

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.

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 4, 2022) – The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, in collaboration with the Lt. Governor’s Office and the Delaware Art Museum, is seeking personal stories and photos from Delaware families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses. The submissions will be used to create an emotional and educational exhibition in 2023 to help reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder.

Delaware individuals and families are asked to submit three photos of their loved ones and to fill out a questionnaire through an online portal operated by INTO LIGHT Project, a national nonprofit that creates art exhibitions using the submissions as a way to change the conversation about drug addiction, educate the public, and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 15. There is no cost to families to participate.

Using the submitted photos, INTO LIGHT Project’s professional artists will create original graphite portraits of each of the 41 individuals who will be part of the exhibition. Each portrait is framed and accompanied by a narrative depicting the individual’s life as told by their loved ones. After the exhibition ends, the portraits are gifted to the families.

Delaware’s exhibition will be held June 1, 2023, to Dec. 3, 2023, at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington.

“What a powerful way to show the personal loss that, sadly, too many Delaware families have experienced during the opioid epidemic,” said Joanna Champney, director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. “We know that those who died from overdoses are not numbers. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends, neighbors and colleagues. They were loved and they are missed profoundly. We are grateful to the 41 Delaware families who will share their stories with INTO LIGHT Project as part of this important exhibition next year at the Delaware Art Museum.”

To accurately reflect the breadth of individuals lost to drug overdoses and substance use disorder in Delaware, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health is seeking a diverse group of submissions from Delaware families. Families are included on a first-come, first-served basis. Delaware families who are interested in submitting an application on behalf of their loved one to INTO LIGHT Project, should visit: https://intolightproject.org/DE.