Fentanyl accounts for majority of overdose deaths in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, the Delaware Division of Health (DPH) wants to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs and the role fentanyl has played in overdose deaths.

DPH on Tuesday released the 2020 State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) fact sheet on all drug overdose deaths that occurred in Delaware.

As part of their findings, DPH noted that 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.

47 ABC’s Rob Petree sat down with Katie Capelli, an epidemiologist and health expert with DPH, to discuss the findings and the prevalent role that fentanyl plays when it comes to overdose deaths in the First State.

“It can be a very small amount that could potentially kill you,” Capelli stressed. “We want people to know that fentanyl is in our drug supply and no one is immune to it, that one night of partying could be your last, and if you are a consistent person who uses drugs, there are stronger versions of fentanyl that your body may not be able to handle and you may overdose.”

Since 2020, fentanyl has continued to account for a majority of overdose deaths.

“In 2021, we did have about the same, around 84-percent of the overdoses involved fentanyl in their toxicology report,” Capelli stated. “We know that it’s still an issue.”

Now, more so than ever before, fentanyl is being found in party drugs that some might not suspect could have deadly consequences.

“Drug distributors are mixing these drugs in other things like cocaine, and like meth, and like ecstasy to have more buyers and to increase the potency,” Capelli said. “It’s being shipped through China, Mexico, and we’re right on the 95 corridor.”

Dave Humes with atTAcK Addiction says fentanyl plays a role in just about all of today’s overdose deaths and it can be found in a plethora of different drugs.

“The dealers are evil, they’re lacing everything they can with fentanyl,” Humes said. “They’re putting it in weed, they’re putting it in fake oxy-pills, they’re putting it in cocaine, and people don’t realize what they’re getting, and of course the dealers aren’t doing this under laboratory conditions either.”

Earlier this week, health officials rolled-out a new program to test for fentanyl prior to usage in an attempt to save lives and combat the opioid crisis in Delaware.

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.

“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.”

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.