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.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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. 

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

DOVER, DE (August 30, 2022) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is releasing a 2020 State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) fact sheet on all drug overdose deaths that occurred in Delaware. This snapshot contains fatality data abstracted from the state’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) collaborative. DPH collects and analyzes unintentional drug overdose death data from death certificate information, medical examiner reports, forensic toxicology results, and law enforcement reports.

The fact sheet provides information on the drugs listed as the cause of death on the death certificate and drugs identified as present by toxicology or medical examiner reporting. Almost all heroin overdose deaths had fentanyl present (99%). Furthermore, fentanyl was the drug most frequently listed as the cause of death (84%). Most overdose deaths had more than one drug present (78%) and (84%) of all cocaine overdose deaths had fentanyl. Similarly, fentanyl presence is high among methamphetamine (79%) and benzodiazepine (79%) overdose deaths.

“As we commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 and remember the lives lost to overdose, it is important for all Delawareans and visitors to the state to know that no illicit drug is safe,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “Assume that drugs not prescribed by your doctor contain, or are laced with, fentanyl. The information analyzed by the Overdose Data to Action collaborative clearly shows that fentanyl is present in not only opioids, but also cocaine, and counterfeit prescription medications.”

DPH is finalizing its strategy to distribute fentanyl test strips in bulk. Currently, the public can receive two test strips in any DPH Narcan kit, which are available through mail order and at points of distribution (POD) events listed on HelpisHereDE.com. To prevent overdose death, in addition to having Narcan on hand and utilizing fentanyl test strips, a person in active substance use should never use alone and go slow so that someone they trust can monitor them for any adverse side effects.

To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, DPH encourages persons with substance use disorder (SUD) to engage with Brandywine Counseling & Community Services for more information and syringe exchange services by visiting BrandywineCounseling.com or calling 302-656-2348. 

DPH encourages those struggling with SUD to visit HelpIsHereDE.com to connect to treatment online, in person, or by phone.

Friends and family need to recognize the signs and symptoms of a SUD. It is also important that parents, educators, counselors, and other influential members recognize the seriousness of fentanyl and have conversations about the risk of overdose when experimenting with drugs. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call the DHSS 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options.  In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785.

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 833-9-HOPEDE. To search for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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. 

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.

DOVER (April 26, 2022) – Delaware will hold its 22^nd National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There will also be Sharps disposals for needle disposal at select locations, and overdose response education with free Narcan available at select locations.

Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by the Division of Public Health (DPH). The twice-a-year event is aimed at reducing the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in nearly 100,000 pounds of medication being collected since 2010. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity in the effort to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse, or divert them, and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses.

“The addiction for far too many people living with substance use first began because they had access to prescription medications from the homes of someone they know,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “By safely turning in your prescription medications that have expired, or that you no longer need, on Drug Take-Back Day, you can help fight the epidemic in Delaware while also making your home safer.”

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 16.1 million people reported misusing any prescription drug in the past 12 months. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. According to the state Division of Forensic Science, there were 515 overdose deaths in 2021 in Delaware, a 15 percent increase from the 447 reported in 2020.

In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are 28 permanent medicine drop-off locations across the state available year-round. Six of Delaware’s permanent drop-off sites are in Walgreens pharmacies and the other 22 are located in local law enforcement agencies. In addition to medicine drop off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute medication deactivation bags to the public to use at home. For a list of permanent collection sites and how to get a free disposal bag, visit www.helpisherede.com/understanding-addiction/safe-drug-storage-and-disposal.

The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag, with personal information removed. Liquid medications must be in their original containers. Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected if the batteries are removed. There are 25 locations participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back event. You can find the list of locations here: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the following locations (https://www.helpisherede.com/documents/DDPHOHCR-34668-HelpIsHereDE-SharpsDisposalLocations_R1.pdf). The used needle disposal containers are only for public and not commercial entities, and individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. Outside of health care facilities, an estimated 7.8 billion injections occur a year according to solid waste and recycling organization Waste 360. Once recycled, needles can result in accidental sticks carrying blood-borne pathogens. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated Sharps disposal container which is delivered to incinerators so that accidental exposure cannot occur.

To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, three of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back locations (Middletown, Wyoming, and Selbyville Police Departments) will also be offering Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription opioid or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community trainings and where you can get free Narcan go to: https://www.helpisherede.com/overdose-prevention.

For more details about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. 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 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

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A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.