Delaware sees drops in prescribed opioids

The Delaware State Department announced a big drop in opioid prescriptions for the first quarter this year as compared to last year.

It's a big step forward as the state continues to address the crisis.  Delaware saw a 14-percent drop in prescriptions from January through March, and an 18-percent decrease in the quantity of opioids dispensed.

The drop in prescriptions is tied to regulations put into place April 1 last year, designed to help prescribers closely monitor and control patient use.

These numbers are the latest in a trend Delaware has seen recently, including a 12-percent drop in opioid prescriptions in the six months following the implementation of the regulations.

"We know that there's many strategies that need to be implemented for us to really fully address this crisis.  We need to continue efforts for safer prescribing, as well as better pain management," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director for the Delaware Division of Public Health.

Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long was partly responsible for the behavioral health consortium which is working to develop an action plan to prevent and treat substance use disorder, among other goals.  The state's Addiction Action Committee is also considering legislation health insurance coverage of opioid alternatives for pain management.